The Miami Heat currently hold the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 27-30 record as they work to integrate new players following the major trade that sent former star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors before the February 6 trade deadline.
While Miamiâs immediate future remains uncertain, general manager Andy Elisburg may already be planning a blockbuster move to bring in another All-Star.
Recent reports suggest that the Heat could package their top remaining assets to pursue a trade for Charlotte Hornetsâ standout point guard LaMelo Ball.
“The Heat face an uncertain near-future without Jimmy Butler, and their long-term outlook is similarly murky, particularly if they’re committed to keeping the coffers clear for 2026,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley.
“But with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in their prime years, patience may not be a virtue. Miami would need to find star power to abandon the save-for-2026 plan, and Ball would provide that in spades. He’d also address a years-long itch for additional scoring and creation on the perimeter.”
“There would be defensive concerns with a Ball-Herro backcourt, but the offensive upside is enormous (and at least some of those concerns would be alleviated by Adebayo’s presence behind them).”
At just 23 years old, Ball has already proven himself as one of the leagueâs elite point guards when healthy, averaging 26.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 36 games this season for Charlotte.
As the 2021 Rookie of the Year and a 2022 All-Star, Ballâs potential arrival in Miami could signal a dramatic shift in the teamâs post-Butler era, creating a formidable trio alongside first-time All-Star shooting guard Herro and five-time All-Defensive Team selection Adebayo.
Financially, Miami would need to navigate Ballâs $38 million salary for the 2025-26 season, which could mean parting ways with contracts like those of Terry Rozier, Kyle Anderson, or Andrew Wiggins. Rozierâs legal troubles, due to an ongoing federal investigation into an alleged illegal sports betting scheme, could complicate matters. Meanwhile, Miami might prefer to keep Wiggins, though Charlotte may insist on his inclusion as a key trade asset.
If the Heat acquire Ball, he could thrive under head coach Erik Spoelstraâs system and embrace the teamâs hard-nosed “Heat culture.” His pairing with Herro could elevate Miamiâs scoring, while Adebayoâs defensive prowess could help fuel another deep playoff run.
