The Miami Heat have reached the NBA Finals in two of the last four seasons, and although they have played well at times to start this season, they’re still an incomplete team.
As has often been the case since Jimmy Butler arrived four years ago, they rank closer to the bottom of the league than the top in scoring. It has resulted in them getting off to slow starts in big games against contenders, which has put lots of pressure on them to expend lots of energy to mount a comeback and give themselves a shot at winning in crunch time.
The Heat have always lacked a high-scoring superstar guard who can force the issue and score buckets in bunches early and often. This past summer, they were convinced they would land Damian Lillard via trade, only to see him go to the Milwaukee Bucks. During the previous offseason, there were whispers they might try to make a move for Donovan Mitchell.
Instead, Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although he has raised his game since being sent there, there are rumors he isn’t truly happy there and may leave in the summer of 2025 when he can become a free agent.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
If the Cavs are convinced Mitchell is as good as gone, could they be open to trading him before he can leave them empty-handed? If so, could the Heat make a run at him? Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report suggested the Heat make the following offer for the four-time All-Star:
The trade: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jović, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill
Since Butler is 34, Miami may reconsider giving up two future first-round draft picks. But Mitchell recently turned 27 while star big man Bam Adebayo is 26, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., a mid-first-round draft pick in June, is starting to look like a steal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Mitchell, averaging 27.6 points and 5.3 assists a game, would allow the Heat to blitz teams early and play from ahead more often than not. It would take plenty of pressure off Butler, who is arguably the best in crunch time but is team-oriented to a fault and won’t assert himself until the game is on the line.
At the same time, they would return veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who is past his prime but can still be a stabilizing force. He also has a $29.7 million expiring contract that could be used separately.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
As presently constituted, it seems there is no way the Heat will make another trip to the championship series, especially after some other moves Eastern Conference teams have made in recent months.
