Three Players the Miami Heat Should Trade For After Missing Out on Kevin Durant
With Kevin Durant officially off the table, the Miami Heat must pivot — fast. Pat Riley and the front office still have championship aspirations, and with a hungry Jimmy Butler, a rising Bam Adebayo, and a loyal fanbase expecting a deep playoff run, the Heat can’t afford to stand still. Here are three realistic trade targets Miami should pursue:
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1. DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls)
DeRozan may be aging, but he’s still one of the league’s best mid-range scorers and a proven closer. His experience and leadership fit perfectly with the Heat’s culture, and he could provide the offensive punch Miami lacked during crunch time last season. If the Bulls commit to a rebuild, Miami should pounce.
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2. Malcolm Brogdon (Portland Trail Blazers)
Brogdon is the kind of steady, two-way guard Miami has always coveted. With Portland clearly prioritizing youth, the former Sixth Man of the Year is available for the right price. His ability to score, defend, and facilitate could stabilize Miami’s bench unit and give the Heat a boost against elite Eastern Conference backcourts.
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3. Jonas Valančiūnas (New Orleans Pelicans)
The Heat need size and rebounding — and Valančiūnas checks both boxes. He’s a bruiser in the paint, a solid screen-setter, and brings playoff experience. Miami has often struggled against dominant bigs, and adding Jonas gives Erik Spoelstra more flexibility, especially when Bam slides to the four.
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Final Take:
The Heat missed out on Durant, but all hope isn’t lost. With the right moves and a couple of veteran additions, Miami can reload and remain a serious threat in the East. These three names could be the answer. The only question is — will Pat Riley pull the trigger?
