Miami Heat Trade Rumors: Which All-Star Could Be on the Move After Durant Deal Falls Through?

By Edcel Panganiban June 27, 2025 07:15

The Miami Heat’s pursuit of Kevin Durant this offseason was one of the NBA’s most talked-about storylines, but with the 15-time All-Star ultimately landing with the Houston Rockets, Miami now faces a pivotal question: which All-Star could be on the move next to reshape the Heat’s roster?

The Durant Pursuit and Its Fallout

Miami’s interest in Durant was genuine and persistent. Reports indicated that the Heat were willing to offer veteran wing Andrew Wiggins along with their 20th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Durant. However, Miami’s reluctance to part with promising young talents like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and high-value draft capital ultimately led to the deal falling apart. Durant’s preference and the Suns’ asking price created a narrow window that Houston capitalized on, securing a blockbuster trade with multiple assets.

With that door closed, the Heat have pivoted their strategy, now exploring other All-Star options to fill the void left by Jimmy Butler’s departure and the missed opportunity to acquire Durant.

Andrew Wiggins: The Most Likely Trade Asset

The Heat have made it clear that Andrew Wiggins is available in trade talks, signaling their openness to moving the veteran wing to upgrade alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Wiggins, 29, averaged 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, providing solid scoring and athleticism. However, his fit alongside Miami’s core has been questioned, especially given his contract and defensive inconsistencies.

By including the 20th pick in potential deals, Miami aims to attract a player or package that can better complement their young stars and bring a more dynamic offensive presence. As one insider put it, “Miami is willing to move Wiggins and the draft pick to find a better fit for their evolving roster”.

Potential All-Star Targets Beyond Durant

Beyond Wiggins, the Heat’s front office, led by Pat Riley, is reportedly eyeing other high-impact players. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel highlighted DeMar DeRozan as a potential target, noting that despite his age (35) and large contract, DeRozan remains one of the league’s most reliable scorers and could provide the Heat with a cerebral offensive weapon. DeRozan’s career averages of 21.5 points and 5.2 assists, combined with his mid-range mastery, would offer Miami a different offensive dimension.

Another intriguing name is Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. Young, a four-time All-Star and elite playmaker, averaged 24.2 points and a league-best 11.6 assists last season, though his defense remains a concern. While acquiring Young would require significant assets, including potentially Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo both reportedly off-limits the Heat’s willingness to be aggressive in the trade market means this remains a tantalizing possibility.

Financial Flexibility and Strategic Considerations

Miami’s salary cap situation provides them with flexibility to pursue these stars. With no major free agents due for new contracts, the Heat have wiggle room under the luxury tax apron to be aggressive in trades. This financial breathing room is critical as they seek to add a bona fide No. 1 scoring option to complement their young core.

Erik Spoelstra’s squad struggled offensively last season, averaging just 95.5 points per game in the first-round playoff sweep. Tyler Herro led the team with 17.8 points per game but shot only 41.5% from the field and 31% from three, underscoring the need for an offensive upgrade.

What’s Next for Miami?

The Heat’s front office is expected to remain active in the trade market, exploring all avenues to add star power. As Brett Siegel noted, “Pat Riley is always aggressive on the summer trade market, and he will be involved in any conversations about All-Star players hitting the market”.

While the Durant deal fell through, Miami’s pursuit signals a clear intent: to return to Eastern Conference contention by acquiring a new star who can lead the offense and elevate the team’s ceiling. Whether through moving Andrew Wiggins or packaging draft assets, the Heat’s next move could redefine their trajectory for the 2025-26 season and beyond.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Miami as they navigate this critical offseason, balancing asset management with the urgency to add a game-changing All-Star. The Heat’s willingness to engage in bold trades suggests that the next blockbuster involving Miami could be just around the corner.