Kyrie Irving could be on the Heat's radar as a trade deadline target
Feb 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat are set to enter the 2026-27 season as one of the most formidable teams in the Eastern Conference. While Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s acquisition was convincing, recent player additions like Klay Thompson and Nick Richards have strengthened Miami’s case. But is this enough?
Despite the Heat’s roster strength, ESPN projected Miami to finish seventh in the East next season with 47 wins. While also noting concerns about their guard depth behind Davion Mitchell, the Heat may still need to address some glaring roster issues.
Currently, there aren’t any significant trades the Heat can make. However, with the trade deadline being viewed as an intriguing window to transform the roster, Miami has been linked with several names, including Kevin Durant. On that note, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson named three more targets that the franchise could consider, as he wrote:
“ But that could change at February’s trade deadline. It could change next summer, if a former All-Star past his prime decides to sign with the Heat for the full nontaxpayer midlevel exception, a mechanism Miami has preserved for the 2027 offseason. Three former All-Star guards who have been a source of speculation – Kyrie Irving, Zach LaVine, and Jrue Holiday – would all boost the Heat’s title hopes. But it’s difficult to see a path for Miami to acquire Irving and Holiday.”
Like Durant, even Kyrie Irving has been mentioned as a potential target for the Heat, but the mention of Jrue Holiday and Zach LaVine is particularly intriguing.
While Jackson noted that acquiring Irving and Holiday could be difficult, it isn’t necessarily impossible. Thus, given Miami’s potential to land one of the three players at the deadline, we explore how the franchise could form a suitable package to acquire them.
How Can The Heat Land Kyrie Irving?
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Kyrie Irving, Marcus Sasser
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, 2029 first-round pick
This trade could work out well for Dallas. The Mavs intend to build around Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, but reports indicate the franchise could pivot if the team isn’t performing well before the deadline. This effectively opens the door for Miami to negotiate a deal for the nine-time All-Star.
Acquiring Irving would require Miami to part with Andrew Wiggins ($30.0 million) and Nikola Jovic ($16.2 million) to make space for Irving’s $39.4 million cap hit. However, since Dallas may not wish to take on nearly $6.8 million in additional salary, including Marcus Sasser’s $5.1 million contract seems reasonable.
For all intents and purposes, Kyrie Irving would be an incredible offensive addition to the Miami Heat. As one of the NBA’s elite scorers, Irving would be an instant offensive boost to Miami’s rotation, transforming them into a title contender.
During the 2024-25 season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. While parting with such an asset may be difficult for the Mavericks, acquiring Wiggins’ decreasing cap hit, a promising young wing in Jovic, and a first-round pick may seem worthwhile, though they could arguably field a better offer.
Miami’s Offer For Jrue Holiday Could Be Convincing
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Jrue Holiday
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2032 first-round pick swap
Another target the Heat could pursue at the trade deadline is Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday. With an overload of guards in Portland’s starting lineup, the Blazers could consider offloading Holiday to bolster their roster at the trade deadline. This could allow Miami to snatch him up.
Creating the cap space to absorb Holiday’s $34.8 million contract is slightly easier than for Irving. By packaging Wiggins’ $30.0 million contract, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s $6.0 million deal, and a first-round pick swap, the Heat not only clear enough space, but also shed $1.2 million in salary, giving them more flexibility to sign two more players on veteran minimum deals to complete their 15-man roster.
In some ways, Holiday’s addition would be as impactful as Irving’s. Other than the championship experience, Holiday’s chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo would also be a major factor in securing wins. With last season’s averages of 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, Holiday fits the same profile as Davion Mitchell and could be an upgrade in some settings.
For the Blazers, losing Holiday’s defensive impact would be this scenario’s biggest drawback. However, by adding Wiggins’ versatile defensive ability and Hardaway Jr.’s scoring, Portland may be able to compensate for the two-time champion’s departure.
Zach LaVine Remains The Most Realistic Choice
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Zach LaVine
Sacramento Kings Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, 2032 first-round pick swap
While acquiring either Irving or Holiday seems more intriguing, the Heat may not have the assets required to pry them away from their teams. Thus, as Jackson mentioned, Zach LaVine remains Miami’s most realistic option.
On paper, LaVine provides the Heat with the kind of offense they need. While he is known for his athleticism, the two-time All-Star is a versatile scorer who is more than capable of catching fire from behind the arc. Since he has been mentioned in trade rumors all summer, the Kings may be inclined to part with him at the deadline.
His averages of 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 47.9% shooting from the field last season don’t inspire much confidence. Still, his 39.0% shooting from three-point range could be more prominent in a system featuring Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
Acquiring LaVine’s massive $48.9 million contract would require the Heat to part with a combined $48.6 million by packaging Wiggins, Jovic, and Simone Fontecchio. This trade would leave Miami $2.1 million below the first apron, forcing them to fill three roster spots with players on minimum deals.
For the most part, acquiring LaVine could hurt Miami’s status as a contender, because they would be parting with an elite defender in Wiggins. However, it would help them free up a considerable amount of money next summer. Miami could use this flexibility to make a splash in free agency and transform their roster.