The Miami Heat are having a successful campaign so far but may need to make a move before the trade deadline.
CBS Sports released their ultimate trade guide, highlighting 100 possible trade candidates who could be dealt prior to the deadline in Feb. The list was split into tiers of how likely the player is to be moved. The first player from Miami to crack the list is All-Star Tyler Herro, who was placed in the second tier titled "Stars, Maybe Available?"
"Yet another case of an All-Star whose team has played better without him this season," the article wrote. "In Herro's case, that's a bit of a longer-term trend. The Heat reached the 2023 Finals largely without Herro. Miami's offensive regression was inevitable and out of Herro's control. His defensive issues are well-documented, and the Heat are always big-game hunting. Almost any star trade the Heat pursue would probably involve Herro, but considering the Heat didn't extend him over the summer, they might be a bit more open to moving him in other types of trades than we would have assumed a year ago."
Herro's contract extension being declined prior to the Oct. deadline makes it somewhat likely the team moves him. The next Heat member to crack the list is Kel'el Ware, who was placed in the fourth tier titled "Only For Giannis."
"We have another possible unicorn on our hands here, folks," the article added. "The fit in Miami has gotten trickier. Though he and Bam Adebayo are both taking and making 3s this season, they create spacing problems when paired together. Give Ware his own front court as a solo center, and he could soar. Of course, given some of the motor concerns that existed when he was a draft prospect, taking him out of Miami might also sap some of the appeal. He's a high-risk, high-reward target, and if Antetokounmpo goes to Miami, he'll be the centerpiece of such a deal."
Although Pat Riley has shown reluctance moving Ware, especially during the Kevin Durant trade discussions last offseason, he would most likely need to be included in a deal for Giannis Antetokunmpo as a young piece.
The final member of the Heat to make the list is the most controversial player, Terry Rozier. He was placed in the seventh tier titled "Matching Salary, Expiring Contracts."
"The Heat don't even know if he can legally be traded, but there is precedent for someone getting traded while on administrative leave (Kevin Porter Jr.). If the Heat just want to use his salary to match money, odds are, the NBA would allow it so long as his new team waived him upon completing the deal (which they almost certainly would).
Rozier's situation is murky to say the least but if Miami has the opportunity to dump his $26 million salary for another player, they would be foolish to not make a move.