It's no secret that, in the wake of the Jimmy Butler Era, the Miami Heat is lacking one true superstar to help it get over the hump in 2025-26. The Heat have a collection of interesting parts that could fuse together, but it is hard to see Miami making a deep run, given the roster it has.
The latest trade proposal from Bleacher Report gives Miami a pathway to go after Zion Williamson, and this would be a massive mistake for Pat Riley to actually pursue.
Trade proposal has Zion to Miami
Under the premise of "If the trade deadline was before the season," this proposed trade has Miami landing Zion Williamson.
In return, the Heat would send Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a top-five protected 2030 first-round pick, and a 2032 lottery-protected first-round pick back to New Orleans.
At first glance, this feels like a ton to give up for an injury-prone Zion.
Then one could start convincing themselves to mimic Orlando and take the approach of not needing draft picks because giving up Rozier, Jaquez Jr., and Jakučionis isn't that bad.
Then one remembers, "Oh, right, injury sliders are still on, and it's just a matter of time before he gets hurt."
The problem with this type of deal is that at its ceiling, it's hard to envision Zion being the missing piece for a title for Miami. Bam, Herro, and Zion make an intriguing big three, but it's essentially upgrading Andrew Wiggins.
The flaw with Miami's roster is the lack of true ball-handling guards, and trading away Jakučionis in this proposed deal sends away one of Miami's options to fill this flaw.
Miami's other concern is that if this deal doesn't work, Miami turns into a bottom-feeder for the next five years. Williamson has played more than 30 games in just two of his five years in the league, and his lone season of playing 70 games is also the worst statistical year of his career.
Williamson, on paper, is in shape to start the 2025-26 season, but until he can actually navigate a full season, we are going to remain skeptical.
Landing Zion would be exciting, it would sell jerseys, and it would create a sense of hope.
And then reality would come crashing in, and it would leave Miami and Pat Riley wishing they had never picked up the phone in the first place.