Are the Miami Heat in title or bust mode yet? Perhaps not, not even after pulling off a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this offseason. It's hard to integrate this many moving parts, and for as good as Antetokounmpo is, it's rare for a team that underwent such a massive overhaul to get over the hump in the championship hunt.
Even the New York Knicks, the reigning NBA champion, didn't manage to break through in the first season after they traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. They needed time to coalesce, and time also afforded them the financial space to add depth to the team.
For this year, the Heat don't have many avenues to improve the roster further. All indications suggest that they are pleased with the team they have at their disposal anyway and they would at least want to take a look at how they perform before making any more drastic moves.
But if push comes to shove and the Heat want to tinker even further with their roster to give them the best shot at breaking through this upcoming season, here are three players Miami can dangle on the market.
Nikola Jovic
When the Heat inked Nikola Jovic to a four-year, $62.4 million extension prior to the 2025-26 season, they expected that Jovic would take the next step and become a consistent starter for the team. This did not materialize. Last season, he put up 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest, and he averaged just 17.2 minutes for the Heat.
It did not help that last season was stop and start for Jovic. He suffered through hip, elbow, back, and ankle injuries last season, which limited him to just 47 games played (one start). Suffice to say, the Heat are yet to get a legitimate return on their investment in Jovic, the 27th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
It would be one thing if injuries only limited his availability. But it's another issue entirely for the Heat that Jovic got worse last season. He shot just 36.6% from the field and 26.9% from deep last season, and even his free-throw production tanked (68.3% FT).
It's certainly notable that the Heat went from being able to dangle Jovic in trade talks for Damian Lillard back in 2023 to potentially having to attach draft compensation just to get off his contract. It's also noteworthy that the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that must have had its pick on which player to get from the Heat in the Antetokounmpo trade, passed on the privilege of taking on Jovic's contract, which kicks in at the start of this season.
But for this upcoming campaign, Jovic is set to make $16.2 million, which is precisely the kind of midsized ontract that can potentially bring a legitimate contributor for a Heat team that needs more depth after gutting it in the trade for Giannis.
Just for reference, someone like Herb Jones (who might come off the bench in New Orleans) is making $14.9 million this season. Someone like Grayson Allen, who would thrive in the Heat's pace and space system and has experience playing alongside Giannis, is making $18.1 million and could become available depending on how the Charlotte Hornets perform.
In the end, the Heat most likely will want to see how Jovic figures in their Giannis-centric team before making any decisions with him. After all, Jovic is only 23 years of age, so it's not like it's a pressing matter for the Heat to trade him away. He averaged 11/4/3 in 25.1 minutes per contest and he shot over 37% from deep on nearly five attempts per game during the 2024-25 campaign, which is not too shabby.
Andrew Wiggins
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It seems almost unfathomable that Andrew Wiggins would become a trade candidate for the Heat considering that he's exactly the kind of 3-and-D wing any contending team needs. Wiggins also proved all the way back in 2022 that he can turn it up in the postseason, so at the moment, he figures to be a crucial piece for this Heat side.
Moreover, Wiggins recently signed a three-year, $64 million contract extension — with the veteran forward set to make $16.5 million and $17.3 million (player option) for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons, respectively. If Wiggins, who shot over 41% from deep last season, continues to be a reliable floor-spacer and a stout defensive presence, it's hard to envision the Heat letting him go.
But Wiggins is making $30.2 million this season, which opens up a ton of possibilities on the trade market. That is the kind of contract the Heat can utilize in trade talks for a player like Trey Murphy, who is making $27 million for this campaign. When Wiggins' extension kicks in next season, the Heat will no longer be able to trade for someone making around $30 or so million, which includes players like Derrick White, Aaron Gordon, or Jrue Holiday.
However, it's not likely at all for the Heat to trade Wiggins away or to even consider doing so. They love Wiggins out there in South Beach, and having him around on a team-friendly extension for the next few seasons might serve the team better in the long run anyhow.
Bobby Portis
The Heat also acquired Bobby Portis from the Bucks in the Antetokounmpo trade, and as Portis himself said, he's not a mere throw-in to that deal. He is a proud NBA champion who gives the Heat an enforcer off the bench and a proven backup for Bam Adebayo. He can also function in two-big lineups alongside either Giannis or Adebayo thanks to his ability to space the floor (he shot 45.6% from three last season).
But similar to Jovic and Wiggins, Portis is making the kind of money that teams around the NBA find easy to move around. This season, he's making $14.5 million and he has a player option worth $15.6 million for the 2027-28 campaign.
However, he also figures to be an important piece for this 2026-27 Heat squad. Miami did sign Nick Richards to provide more center depth, but Portis has plenty of gas left in the tank and he'll be raring to show that as he suits up for a Heat team facing high expectations.