Ira Winderman: Time for Heat to consider dealing ... anyone and everyone?

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Jun 15, 2025

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MIAMI — All roads apparently lead to this intersection for the Miami Heat, where the hope of a union with Kevin Durant meets the reality of obstacles at play.

Over. And over. And over again.

So within a matter of days, likely ahead of the June 25 first round of the NBA draft, it again could be a case of coming up short amid lust for the lengthy scorer, as it has been over the years for Pat Riley and the Heat front office.

Still, there remains something to be said about the exercise, if only to take time to weigh who could be in play or should be in play, be it for Durant from the Phoenix Suns or for the next big thing that comes along.

With Durant, a reasonable expectation is that anyone but Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro could be in play, if only because of the need to have something remaining in place to pique Durant’s desire.

Otherwise, when you close 37-45 and go on to the most lopsided playoff-series loss in NBA history, there is little room or reason to overvalue the rest of the Heat roster..

So, yes, potentially anyone and everyone this offseason to anywhere for anyone.

The reasoning:

— Bam Adebayo: The captain remains the anchor, with an ability to make every teammate better on the defensive end of the floor.

But what Adebayo does best also is best suited for a team in win-now mode, which is not exactly where the Heat stand at the moment.

So $51 million this coming season and $55 million the following to complement something less than a championship core?

No, not going anywhere in a Durant trade. But if a move is possible to get to the top of the lottery in the void of a tank, this could be the time for such a play, with the San Antonio Spurs’ No. 2 pick and Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 3 seeming in play. One of those picks and additional draft capital could — and perhaps should — tempt as part of a reset.

— Tyler Herro: The extension decision does not have to come until October, if it comes and all during the NBA’s 2025-26 calendar cycle.

But if an extension does come ahead of the coming season, it will be at an average of $50 million a season, impacting the ability to deal Herro over the next two seasons due to the salary cap’s poison-pill element of extensions.

So trade now if there is pause about paying later?

Again, no, not in a Durant deal. But potentially for something bigger, something perhaps more cost-efficient.

— Kel’el Ware: Considering the Phoenix Suns’ ongoing search for a center, Ware has been a focal point of a potential package in a Durant deal.

Yes, there was a midseason breakout that created the compound optimism of therefore also being able to play Adebayo at power forward. And, yes, there remains the value of the rookie-scale contract for last year’s No. 15 pick.

But in the wake of significant postseason defensive struggles, the 7-footer simply cannot stand as a deal-breaker for a deal that could get Adebayo and Herro needed help.

So, if need be, Ware is passed along as quickly as 2020 first-round pick Precious Achiuwa was passed along after his lone Heat season.

— Nikola Jovic: The pause created with Jovic is similar to the pause created with Ware, namely the risk of giving up too early on unique rookie-scale talent.

But also consider that the Heat are at a crossroads with Jovic, with an extension window that opens in July or otherwise faced with Jovic free agency a year from now.

If there is uncertainty in either regard, then Jovic as a trade component should remain within the realm.

— Jaime Jaquez Jr.: There was a time when Jaquez would have been considered too much to stand merely as a sweetener, as a plus-one. That was when he was All-Rookie a year ago. Now, terming him a sweetener might be overstatement, after a considerable sophomore slump.

That said, just two years in, the Heat aren’t positioned to sell low. As a component that closes a significant deal? Yes, you make the move. But not quite in throw-in mode yet.

— Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, Kevin Love: At the moment, all stand as little more than expiring deals (assuming Wiggins opts out following the coming season).

This is the type of moment that teams covet, where expiring dollars can be turned into something that endures.

The Heat not only can put these contracts into play, they need to put these contracts into play, expiring money standing as a converted commodity. It’s as if the five are partners in the firm of Going, Going, Going, Going & Gone.

And if not during the offseason than by February’s trade deadline.

— Davion Mitchell: The guard who enjoyed a Heat breakout after being acquired at midseason stands in a bit of his own category.

As an impending restricted free agent, Mitchell, if re-signed, cannot be dealt for a year without his consent. So while he could stand somewhat as a trade component, the greater issue for the Heat is the ability simply to retain.