As Pat Riley targets a franchise-altering "whale," a blockbuster proposal sends Kawhi Leonard to South Beach to ignite a championship-depleted roster alongside star center Bam Adebayo.
Miami, FL. – The lack of star power has held the Miami Heat back from winning championships, most notably within the last six years. Despite having Jimmy Butler to lead the charge, especially in the playoffs, the departure of the six-time All-Star proved to be a significant loss than Heat President Pat Riley might care to admit.
After an underwhelming 43-39 regular season, plus missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019, the roster is in desperate need of changes. They won’t have any cap space, but the Heat are roughly $40.91 million below the first apron, along with having a couple of trade exceptions. It’s widely known that Riley prefers to go “whale” hunting, looking to lure superstars to South Florida. Despite multiple failed attempts in previous years, such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Heat will have opportunities to draw players ready for a new chapter.
Within the group is projected to be seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. After seven years with the Los Angeles Clippers, a split could be on the brink. Given the numerous battles involving injuries and reaching the Western Conference Finals only once since arriving in 2019, the organization needs a complete reset. Leonard likely has the most significant trade value on the roster.
Despite not playing in at least 70 games in a single season since 2017, the Heat would be one of many teams interested in the 34-year-old. He will be under an expiring contract next year, owed $50.3 million. As Leonard is essentially under a one-year deal, it makes a trade easier to get done.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, this is what a proposed trade could look like:
- Heat receive: Leonard and Kris Dunn
- Clippers receive: Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, a 2030 unprotected first-round pick (via Miami), and a 2032 unprotected first-round pick (via Miami)
Despite recent injury history, Leonard is a future first ballot Hall of Famer. He averaged 27.9 points on 50.5 percent shooting, 38.7 percent from behind the arc, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 65 games this past season. Leonard will be eligible for postseason awards, including All-NBA honors.
“Leonard would be the centerpiece of a Heat team that could help lead Miami back to the success of the Butler years,” Marks wrote. “Leonard is a two-way superstar whose style of play fits into the culture of the Heat, and Dunn is an excellent defensive guard who could pair with 'Off-Night’ Davion Mitchell to give opposing backcourts nightmares.”
Leonard would be a low-cost, high-reward acquisition for the Heat, which involves significant risks. However, given the urgency to deliver a superstar, especially as three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo reaches prime form, he can still play both sides of the court at a high level.
The Heat enters a pivotal offseason, which will determine the direction of the franchise moving forward.
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