"While the Heat are 26-23 and fighting for play-in positioning in the East, they would acquire a top-3 player in the NBA, when healthy, who's still in the thick of his prime. Antetokounmpo is a franchise-altering talent. You figure everything else out later once you acquire him. Most importantly, I would trust the Heat's ability to field a roster compared to, say, Golden State or Milwaukee themselves."
"If you miss on the whale, pivot and begin selling assets. That includes Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Simone Fontecchio, etc. Acquire as much draft capital as you can, lean into your young talent and begin building for the future, especially if you don't plan on paying any of those names long-term. You could add Tyler Herro into that mix, although his value has likely sunk due to his injury history. But if you don't plan on rewarding him with an extension, move him as well."
"The worst thing the Heat can do is nothing. As we highlighted here, Miami is ripe for a consolidation trade. That's been the case for at least three years. You cannot keep the same clutter of talent - especially with Powell and Fontecchio as expirings - without doing anything to restock your asset chamber. That's how mediocre and directionless organizations maintain that same status quo."
There are fewer than five days until the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline, and the Miami Heat figure prominently in trade speculation if Giannis Antetokounmpo is moved. Acquiring Antetokounmpo would provide a top-3, prime franchise-altering talent and immediately change Miami's competitive ceiling while the team is 26-23 and fighting for play-in positioning. If Giannis is unavailable, Miami's Plan B should be to sell veterans such as Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, and Simone Fontecchio to collect draft capital and prioritize young talent. Tyler Herro could be included if the Heat do not intend to extend him. Standing pat risks prolonged mediocrity and a stagnant roster.
Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog
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