The Miami Heat have been hellbent on acquiring star point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers this NBA offseason. At points, it seemed like a formality that Lillard would end up in South Beach as his representatives made it clear that is where he wanted to be.
But, with only a few weeks until training camp behind, Lillard remains a member of the Trail Blazers organization. Something could certainly change in the coming weeks, but no one would blame the Heat if they pivoted to other plans.
Miami is never afraid to go star chasing, so why not try their hand at acquiring another superstar? Michael Saenz of Sir Charles in Charge suggested that the Heat go all-in and acquire Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers.
The reigning league MVP is someone many NBA analysts believe could be on the move sooner than later. With James Harden’s future with the franchise in question, people are wondering whether Embiid will look for a change of scenery as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Miami Heat Updates
Saenz suggested three different trade ideas that would send Embiid and De’Anthony Melton to Miami.
Trade Idea #1
The first is trading Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 2026 second-round pick via the Los Angeles Lakers, a first-round pick in 2028 and a pick swap in 2030.
A strong argument could be made that swapping Adebayo for Embiid would ruin the team’s game plan defensively as Adebayo is one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. But, the team’s offense shouldn’t go into long stretches of droughts with Embiid on board.
Trade Idea #2
The second trade involves Embiid and Harden going to the Heat together. Those two, along with P.J. Tucker, would land in Miami in exchange for Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and first-round picks in 2026, 2028 and 2030.
That is an all-in move as Butler, Embiid and Harden are all going to be 30+ years old once next season’s playoffs begin. Anything less than a championship would be a failure as the Heat would have zero building blocks for the future.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Miami Heat Updates
Trade Idea #3
The last deal is a three-team trade that also includes the Utah Jazz, who would be acquiring Tyler Herro and Jamie Jaquez. The Heat would get Embiid, Collin Sexton, Kelly Olynyk, Melton, a 2025 first-round pick via the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2029 first-round pick via the Utah Jazz. The 76ers would receive Adebayo, Robinson, every first-round pick the Heat have to offer and a 2026 second-rounder from Miami.
Of the three, this seems the least realistic. Utah getting involved and shipping out two first-round picks to bring back Herro and Jaquez makes it questionable The Heat are clear winners in this deal, filling every hole on their roster and adding the reigning MVP.
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