Should the Miami Heat Trade For Championship-Caliber Glue Guy?

MIAMI, Fla. – As the Miami Heat continue with preseason, the business side of basketball doesn’t stop for anybody, regardless of the time of year.

Despite ending a 53-year championship drought, the New York Knicks are battling a contract dilemma. Six-time All-Star center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension. He is open to negotiating and taking a team-friendly discount, but told the media before the Knicks’ 120-97 win over the Philadelphia 76ers that both sides are far from an agreement.

Towns is represented by Jessica Hotlz of Creative Artists Agency. The expectation is that a deal is unlikely to be signed before the regular season. As Towns’ future with the Knicks is unclear, it creates a fog for Josh Hart, who is eligible for a four-year, $131.2 million extension.

If both starters from last season’s championship squad don’t sign new deals, they could emerge as trade candidates, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Although Towns would likely be too far to reach an agreement, Hart could be a smoother approach at the negotiation table.

The 31-year-old averaged 12 points on 50.8 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 66 games (52 starts) last season. Hart is one of those players whose impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s a guard/undersized small forward who crashes the glass, dives for loose balls, and plays with intense effort on defense.

The Heat have the assets to match Hart’s current $20.92 million salary for the 2026-27 season. Nikola Jovic and Dru Smith would be enough to legally pass the league as a deal while saving the Knicks roughly $2 million in cap. The Heat would need to involve at least a third party to seek draft capital. Smith has a non-guaranteed $2.93 million team option for the 2027-28 season, which the Knicks can decline and use towards a different investment.

Hart's versatility allows him to play multiple positions, even as an undersized power forward. He would be another spark on the Heat’s bench. Hart shot a career-high 41.3 percent from behind the arc last season. If he continues to be an efficient floor-spacer, the Heat could take a serious approach when the Feb. 11, 2027 trade deadline gets closer.

The Knicks can still come up with a plan to keep the championship roster intact before resorting to trade conversations. However, contract disputes can get ugly in the blink of an eye. It’s a situation worth monitoring.

More Miami Heat News:

- Erik Spoelstra Compares Miami Heat Superstar to Hall of Fame Legend

- Why Nikola Jovic's Motivation Plummeted After Signing Miami Heat Extension

- Miami Heat Announce Collaboration With Grand Theft Auto VI