The Miami Heat have been the subject of many trade rumors this season and with the Feb. 6 trade deadline quickly approaching, it seems a trade is imminent.
Most rumors surrounding the Heat have targeted their superstar forward, Jimmy Butler, who is expected to be moved this season. This is despite Pat Riley issuing a statement on Thursday that shut down trade talks for Butler.
With Riley saying the Heat do not plan on trading Butler, they could instead build around him and Bam Adebayo by making a move before the Feb. 6 deadline. Miami sits sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 14-13 record, so they should be a playoff team that could contend if they are able to land another star.
According to a report by Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Heat have been searching for a star player on a similar timeline as Adebayo, and they should be in the running to land De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings if he ends up asking out.
In a possible trade, Miami could send Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larson, Nikola Jović and draft capital to Sacramento for Fox, Kevin Huerter and Alex Len. This trade works for both sides as the Kings would receive a large haul of both young and veteran players to pair alongside DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray to try and make a late playoff push.
For Miami, adding a star point guard in Fox to their roster would improve their rotation. Rozier has struggled since he was dealt to Miami last season, and Fox would be a huge upgrade over him.
Fox is a great scorer, passer and underrated defender who would work well next to Tyler Herro in the backcourt. He would bring another elite scorer to their offense alongside Butler if they choose to keep him, while also being young enough to build around for the future once Butler leaves.
Miami would also acquire Huerter and Len in the deal. Huerter is a solid scorer who would improve their bench scoring and Len would fit in well as a backup to Adebayo.
With a new lineup of Fox, Herro, Butler, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Adebayo, the Heat could be a dangerous team once the playoffs begin and could chase their first championship since the LeBron James and Dwayne Wade era.
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