The Miami Heat have been linked once again to another All-Star, but the timing might've gotten away from them.
The Miami Heat have been one of the more exciting stories in the league with their current 13-6 record, 9-1 at home, third in the Eastern Conference standings, and have one of the best offenses. As the team continues to ride a six-game winning streak, the last two victories came in gutsy fashion, scoring well below their average and shooting inefficiently from behind the arc.
The biggest adjustment has been the return of All-Star guard Tyler Herro, who was recovering from late September left ankle surgery, which kept him sidelined for a big portion to start the season. Regardless, the Heat have been riding high on vibes, but can't say the same for some other teams.
The Sacramento Kings continue to be disappointing after having a historic season in 2023, ending their playoff drought of nearly two decades, and having one of the best offenses in league history. They currently sit with a 5-15 record, 14th in the Western Conference, despite having a veteran-heavy roster with four All-Stars in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Russell Westbrook.
It's highly anticipated that the Northern California franchise will commence a fire sale heading into the trade deadline. It was reported that everyone on the roster, except for Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, is available for discussions.
A separate report included the Heat as a team to "watch" for in the DeRozan sweepstakes.
The six-time All-Star is currently averaging 18.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 49.4 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range on the season. These are among the worst stats throughout his career.
DeRozan is in the second season of a three-year, $73.89 million contract, making $24.75 million this year, and is set to make $25.74 million the following year.
This is what a Heat-Kings trade could look like for the 36-year-old:
Heat receive: DeMar DeRozan
Kings receive: Andrew Wiggins
No picks are included in the hypothetical deal.
The Heat would not want to sacrifice too much for an aging All-Star who might not fit their current play style. The organization would probably rather use Terry Rozier's contract to match the salaries, but the league has provided no clarity on whether they're allowed to do so, given the current circumstances.
DeRozan has been linked to Miami for multiple years, but the chances have likely faded away.
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