🔥 Trade Bait in Play? Heat Reportedly Dangling $19M Expiring Deal to Land a Superstar Splash
The Miami Heat are making noise on the NBA trade front, and it sounds like they’re ready to deal. According to league insiders, Miami is eyeing a major move and is willing to part ways with a key trade chip—a 6’7″ forward on a $19 million expiring contract—in hopes of luring a superstar to South Beach.
While the player isn’t officially named, all signs point to veteran forward Caleb Martin, who fits the size and salary profile. Martin, known for his two-way toughness and clutch postseason performances, has become a valued role player in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. But with his contract set to expire, the Heat may see him as a valuable asset to include in a blockbuster deal.
The motivation? Miami is hungry to return to championship contention after a disappointing 2024–25 campaign. Jimmy Butler’s future remains uncertain, and Bam Adebayo needs more help offensively. With stars like Donovan Mitchell, Brandon Ingram, or even Kyrie Irving being floated in trade circles, the Heat are clearly scanning the market for that next big name.
Expiring contracts are gold in today’s NBA—they offer teams financial flexibility and cap relief while giving contenders a short-term boost. If Miami can package Martin’s deal with draft picks or young talent like Nikola Jović, they could get the attention of teams willing to move a star.
The Heat have long been known for their aggressive front office moves, and this offseason seems no different. Whether this expiring deal is the key to unlocking a game-changing trade remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Miami isn’t sitting still—they’re ready to make waves.