The Miami Heat have never been shy about chasing stars. It’s part of their DNA.
From the Big Three era to their more recent pursuits, Miami’s front office has consistently prioritized flexibility over short-term gains, always keeping an eye on the next big name who might want to take their talents to South Beach. But now, that long game is entering a critical stretch-one that could have major consequences not just for the Heat, but for the Charlotte Hornets as well.
Let’s rewind to 2024, when Miami sent a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte in exchange for Terry Rozier. At the time, it looked like a move to fortify the backcourt with a scoring guard who could help Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo carry the offensive load.
But that pick-once a footnote in the deal-is starting to loom large. If the Heat miss the playoffs in 2027, that selection rolls over into an unprotected 2028 first-rounder.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Miami’s strategy has been clear: preserve cap space, avoid long-term salary commitments, and keep the books clean for a potential superstar splash in 2027 or 2028. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Heat are eyeing a window when names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Donovan Mitchell could hit free agency.
That’s the dream scenario. But the reality?
It’s a high-wire act with no guarantee of a net.
The Rozier situation hasn’t helped. Earlier this season, after news broke of a gambling scandal involving the guard, some Heat fans called for the trade to be voided, arguing that Charlotte hadn’t disclosed the full picture.
But the league had knowledge of the investigation and still approved the deal, which effectively shut the door on any reversal. Now, Rozier is viewed more as a financial burden than a building block-another obstacle in Miami’s hunt for a headline-grabbing acquisition like Ja Morant, whose name has been floated in rumors but, according to Windhorst, has been “overstated” as a real possibility.
So where does that leave the Heat? Stuck in a holding pattern, hoping the right star becomes available and chooses Miami.
That’s a risky bet, especially considering how tough it’s been for even marquee destinations to land elite free agents in recent years. And if that plan doesn’t pan out, Miami could be staring at a few more seasons of hovering around the middle-good enough to compete, but not great enough to contend.
Meanwhile, the Hornets are sitting back and watching this all unfold with interest. That 2027 pick?
It’s looking better by the day. If Miami stays competitive, Charlotte still gets a first-rounder, likely in the late teens or early 20s.
But if the Heat miss the playoffs in 2027-and that’s not out of the question depending on how this plan plays out-Charlotte gets an unprotected 2028 pick. That could be gold.
For a franchise like the Hornets, which has leaned heavily on the draft to build its core, this is a win-win. They’re not a free-agent magnet, and they know it.
So stockpiling picks and developing talent is their best path forward. And if Miami’s gamble backfires, Charlotte could find itself with a valuable asset to add to its young nucleus.
In the end, this is a tale of two strategies. Miami is swinging for the fences, hoping patience and cap discipline pay off with a superstar.
Charlotte is playing the long game, betting that slow and steady-plus a little help from a Heat misstep-can win the race. One team is chasing stars.
The other might just benefit from the fallout.