As Pat Riley hunts for star power, the Denver Nuggets' early playoff exit sparks questions about Nikola Jokic’s future. Explore whether the Miami Heat can lure the MVP to South Beach.
Miami, FL. – After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019, the Miami Heat enter a pivotal offseason with numerous issues to address. The lack of star power is likely at the very top of the list. Although Pat Riley believes that the team improved since trading Jimmy Butler at the Feb. 6, 2025, trade deadline, the results might say otherwise.
It’s more challenging than ever to acquire superstars, given the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. However, there are still pathways to securing one.
The Heat have steered away from long-term contracts, prioritizing flexibility for the 2027 free agency. The class features several stars, such as Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The Denver Nuggets superstar is coming off a second consecutive season in averaging a triple-double: 27.7 points on 56.9 percent shooting, 38 percent from behind the arc, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists, and 1.4 steals, starting in all 65 games played. He was named a finalist for the 2025-26 Most Valuable Player award, plus led the league in rebounds and assists. Despite the individual success, the Nuggets were eliminated from playoff contention after a six-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
In the latest episode of the HeatWave Podcast, part of the Roundtable Sports Network, team beat writer Anthony Aguirre elaborated on the realistic chances of the Heat landing Jokic, whether it’s trade or free agency:
“Sometimes, when reports come out on who the Heat are dreaming of targeting, it seems unrealistic,” he said. “At one point, they were targeting Luka Doncic, and that seemed unrealistic. But because he got traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s opened up a different definition of what it means to truly be untouchable. If Luka got traded, then anyone can get traded. Nikola Jokic, you have to wonder what’s going on in Denver? You won a championship in 2023, [but] the Nuggets have not returned to the Western Conference Finals since then.”
The high-altitude organization made significant acquisitions last offseason: acquiring center Jonas Valanciunas and forward Cam Johnson through trades and signing Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency. However, the moves didn’t pan out.
“How far of changes are the Nuggets willing to go to revamp this roster?” Aguirre added. “It’s obvious, when you have a player like Nikola Jokic, you are a contender. He’s carried subpar rosters before. He mentioned after the elimination game how he wants to be a Nugget for life, but things could change at an instant. You just wonder, are the Nuggets willing to budge on a potential trade?”
Jokic is eligible to sign a four-year, $278 million contract extension, which would offset the Heat’s future plans, but there will be other targets.
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