That being said, there is a reason they call it fishing, not catching. Nobody knows that fact better than Riley, who has failed to land a big fish in recent years.
That’s the bad news. The good news? The days of watching Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant slip away owing to a lack of assets are over. This offseason, the Heat are armed with a stockpile of trade bait, and after a historically embarrassing first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, they fully intend to use it.
With up to three tradeable first-round picks, a war chest of young talent (Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Kel’el Ware), and $60 million in expiring or non-guaranteed contracts, the Heat are finally in a position to strike. Financially, they’re below both luxury tax thresholds, with flexibility and urgency as their twin tailwinds. The offseason window is weeks from achieving its full open position. Here’s a look at five potential orca-level acquisitions the Heat could realistically pursue, and how they stack up against one another and mesh with realistic expectations.
5. James Harden: Buy-Low Rental
We know what you're thinking. But yes, adding a 36-year-old hooper coming off yet another dismal postseason performance might be the move.With Harden coming off a 2-of-8, seven-point performance in the Clippers' season-ending 120-101 loss to the Nuggets in Game 7 of the team's first-round playoff series, you have to think the Clippers will look hard at their current roster. And Harden is the most likely player to be shopped.
Adding Harden might not be what the doctor ordered for a Heat franchise that needs much, much more. And he's liable to be the cheapest star on the market in terms of what the Heat would have to give up to acquire him and his salary, given that he's only under contract for one more season at less than $37 million.
The idea here? Pay little, get a one-year rental. In the worst-case scenario, you trade him at the deadline next season or let him walk for nothing and enjoy the salary cap flexibility.
Verdict: If you can get Harden at Dollar General prices, sure. Otherwise, avoid at all costs.
4. Kawhi Leonard: The Quiet Fit
A couple of seasons ago, Kawhi Leonard would have been the catch of a lifetime had he been available. Now, even coming off a nice playoff series against the Nuggets, it feels more like the Heat would be buying high on an aging star who isn't all that excited to start over on the opposite coast.As with Harden, if the Clippers decide to hold a garage sale this offseason, the Heat should be the first car pulling up waiting for the festivities to commence. On paper, Kawhi fits perfectly: a two-way killer, Finals MVP, and half-court scorer to close games. He’s everything Miami lacked against Boston last year.
But he’s also 33 with no track record of staying healthy or being motivated. In the end, this would be a deal Miami makes to place alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, not one that is destined to send one of them away.
Verdict: Leonard is about as sleepy and indifferent as Andrew Wiggins. Like Harden, this is only an option if the Clippers want to give him away to collect draft picks.
3. Kevin Durant: Destiny's Orca
This one is meant to be. Make it so, Pat. Many people say Durant seems destined to be a member of the Heat.After multiple attempts to capture Kevin Durant in free agency and the trade market, this offseason feels like Miami's last genuine opportunity to bring one of the NBA's greatest all-time scorers to the 305. Will the fifth time be the charm? Once again, expect Miami to join the bidding against half the league.
Durant remains elite, and his shooting and ability to play with other stars make him a seamless fit alongside Bam. He’s still dropping 27 per game and is an absolute lock to be traded this offseason as the Phoenix Suns look to triage their bleeding franchise and hemorrhaging salary cap.
Durant and Bam alone are an intriguing duo to build around. Keep Ware and Jokic in the equation, and you're talking about a starting lineup of characters from the movie Avatar. The issue, of course, is whether sending Herro and multiple first-round picks to Arizona for Durant makes the Heat a contender. That's debatable.
Verdict: This is the trade we believe is most likely to happen. It just feels right. Do it and ask questions later. Durant and Bam are a combo that, with the right pieces around them, have a three-year window to compete deep into the playoffs.
2. Zion Williamson: Rub Some Heat Culture on It
Zion is the definition of generational upside. When healthy, he’s a 27-7-4 NBA Jam custom character. The problem? Through five seasons, he's missed more than two seasons' worth of games. And he's notoriously into good food and great women — two commodities Miami offers in abundance.Nothing a little Heat Culture can't fix, right? Right? RIGHT?!
Williamson isn't guaranteed to be available, but the consensus is the Pelicans would be willing to listen to offers on their often-injured former first-overall pick. With only one more season under contract, it's not only uncertain whether they'll want to pay him hundreds of millions of dollars, but also whether he'd want to stay. Imagining a scenario in which the Heat lined up Ware, Zion, and Bam on the same court is devastating, even if it doesn't fit the conventional way you'd build a starting unit. As with much of this list, the price is likely Herro plus first-round picks. Anything less would be highway robbery. If Zion puts it altogether, you're a juggernaut. We say any deal that doesn't include Bam is good with us.
Verdict: If you believe Heat Culture is authentic, this is the home-run option. Zion and Bam could play another decade together. Or a year, because Zion got fat, injured, and introduced to Prime 112.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Dream Scenario
If you're religious and want to sneak the Miami Heat into your bedtime prayers, get used to pronouncing "YAHN-iss ah-dedo-KOON-bo." If your god is into the NBA, then you can just beg him to send the "Greek Freak" to South Beach in a trade that makes the Lakers' theft of Luka Dončić seem like an overpay.Giannis to Miami is the dream scenario. If Antetokounmpo becomes available, the Heat should be the first team on the phone. No player on the roster, including Bam, should be off-limits to acquiring him.
Still only 30 years old and under contract for the next three seasons, Giannis would rejuvenate a stagnant Miami franchise, even if it meant scrambling to find him worthy teammates. If the price is merely giving up Herro, three first-round picks, and a younger player, such as Ware, you must do it and deal with the results.
Verdict: This is the no-brainer, all-in, tear-it-down-to-rebuild-it option. Giannis is the only player on this list who would make us help Bam pack his bags.
