Top 5 Off-Season Targets for the Miami Heat

With the Golden State Warrior winning their fourth title in eight years that marks the official start of the NBA Off-Season. That means NBA nerds like myself can start thinking of all the best ways to make their team even better than it was the year prior.

The Miami Heat were one shot away from making it to the NBA Finals and having a chance at taking on said Warriors. They certainly dealt with multiple injuries throughout the playoffs, but so did every other team. So, running it back as we all like to say just doesn't seem like the right choice. Especially when the East is expected to be even better next season.

That's why I put together this list of five players, who can be acquired either via trade or in free agency this off-season to help the Heat get over the top. Before anyone starts getting crazy in the comments about certain players being ranked ahead of others, my thought process on these rankings go from least realistic to most.

With that all said, lets get right to it...

5. Donovan Mitchell

Trade Package: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Omer Yurtseven and 2 1st round picks

This is obviously the player most Heat fans would love to see on their team, but the reason I have him last on this list is because he still has 3 years left on his contract. So, the odds of the Utah Jazz parting with their 25 year old star is not very high unless he forces the issue. He needs to publicly say he wants to be traded. Mitchell brings a refined offensive game to the Heat. He is an elite three-level scorer that can get a bucket on his own in any situation. I don’t see Mitchell as a great playmaker, but he is adept at making the extra pass. His three point shot opens up his entire game as well and allows him to get to the rim at will where he showcases his athleticism on a nightly basis. Defense is easily the biggest concern with Mitchell, but I’m not worried about that whatsoever. The Heat and Erik Spoelstra can get the most out of any player. Plus, being surrounded by plus defenders like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, PJ Tucker and Kyle Lowry would mask his weakness.

For many years now, the Heat have been unable to get into many of these star trade conversations due to lack of assets. However, in Herro, the Heat have a young player that is on an upward trajectory and just finished winning the 6MOY award. You match him with a specialist in Duncan Robinson, who was considered one of the best 3 point shooters in the league before his struggles this season, and you have two incredibly solid floor spacers to build around Rudy Gobert. Omer Yurtseven gives Utah size and he’s young so they can develop him to be a solid backup center. The first rounds picks are a necessity when you are trading for a young star and I can even see a third being given if that’s what it takes to get it done.

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4. Jerami Grant

Trade Package: Duncan Robinson, Omer Yurtseven, 27th pick and 2023 first rounder

Jerami Grant to me would be another dream target for the Miami Heat. He is one of the best 3 and D players in the league. He proved that he could be a decent first option for a rebuilding team as he averaged over 20 points during his two years in Detroit. His 35% shooting from three isn’t great, but it’s good enough when you consider the fact that Grant can cover all five positions with his combination of athleticism, strength and length.

Getting Duncan Robinson would add incredible spacing for the Pistons no.1 overall pick from last season Cade Cunningham. Despite Robinsons struggles this season, he’s still a career 40.6% shooter from deep and would open lanes for Cunningham and Killian Hayes.

There are a few issues when considering a trade here. First, the Heat need to make sure that they’ll be able to resign Grant after next season since he is on an expiring contract. Second, Grant has shown that he wants a prominent role in the offense and while he would certainly be one of the Heat’s best options his role wouldn’t be consistent night to night. Would Grant be okay with taking that on a contender?

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3. Thaddeus Young

Free Agent- Signs MLE for two years

Thaddeus Young is one of my favorite players to watch in the NBA and he just oozes Heat Culture. Young has been an incredible player throughout his 15 year career and I’ve only heard great things about his professionalism. When you are trying to analyze what Young would bring to the Heat you can’t look at his stats because it doesn’t tell the full story. He does a little bit of everything. His defense fits perfectly with Miami‘s scheme. Even his three point shooting, which is considered the worst part of his game, improved this past season. He would fit perfectly in a bench role and is big enough to guard centers as well. We all know the Heat love to go small, so Young would fill that small ball 5 role perfectly.

Quick note: Before the Heat could sign Thad Young to the MLE they need to get PJ Tucker to accept his team option. That will give the Heat the option to go for another solid role player like Young in free agency.

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2. Caleb Martin

Free Agent- Signs MLE for three years

It didn’t take long for Caleb Martin to become a fixture in the Miami Heat rotation. His two-way ability and athleticism in the open court was exactly what this team was looking for as they were dealing with injuries throughout the season. Martin proved that he could be a regular rotation player and was even utilized in the playoff rotation. That is what ultimately makes me believe it is the right decision to focus on bringing him back. As you’ve heard Pat Riley say “the playoffs tell” and they told me that Caleb Martin can become the successor to the PJ Tucker role.

Three point shooting was a major issue for him the previous season as he shot just 24.8%. Now I don’t see Martin sustaining the 41.3% shooting he displayed this season, but if that number can sit between 36-38% we are looking at an incredible role player moving forward. It’s also important to mention that PJ Tucker put Martin under his wing and helped him find his niche in the league, so having those two man the PF role can prove beneficial for the short and long term.

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1. Harrison Barnes

Trade Package: Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, 27th pick

This to me would be the perfect addition for the Miami Heat this season, because it would not require them to trade their best asset in Tyler Herro and they get a floor spacing wing that gives effort on the defensive end and has underrated athleticism. Barnes is also coming off an incredible year for the Kings where he averaged 16.4 PPG and 5.6 RPG on 46.9 FG% and 39.4 3P%. Which means this trade doesn’t work unless the Heat give a first round pick. The value Barnes has as a 3 and D wing would surely have other teams calling.

For the Kings, they would be getting a backup point guard in Gabe Vincent who proved he can be a solid role player in this league. He plays both sides of the floor and could run 2nd units. Duncan Robinson would add the spacing a team with De’Aaron Fox and Domantis Sabonis need and he has the size (6’7”) and length to be serviceable defensively.

What do you think about these five off-season targets for the Miami Heat? Is there anyone else you would like to see the Heat go for? Let me know what you think in the comments!