With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching-set for February 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST-the Miami Heat find themselves in a familiar, if frustrating, position.
Hovering just above .500 at 23-22, Miami is once again staring down the barrel of a potential fourth straight year in the play-in tournament. And with that comes the need for some tough internal conversations and potentially tougher decisions.
This isn’t a franchise that’s afraid to shake things up. Pat Riley and the Heat front office have never shied away from bold moves when the moment calls for it.
The question now is: Who might be on the move this time around? Let’s take a closer look at three names that could be in play before the buzzer sounds on deadline day.
Simone Fontecchio
2025-26 Cap Hit: $8.2 million
Contract Status: Expiring
Fontecchio’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but there’s a reason his name is floating around in trade chatter. Acquired in the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade with Detroit, the fourth-year wing came out of the gates red-hot, averaging 11.5 points while knocking down a blistering 50% of his threes over his first 14 games. He cooled off significantly in the middle stretch, but lately, he’s found his rhythm again-averaging 14.5 points and 6.0 boards over the last four contests on highly efficient shooting splits: 52.5% from the field, 46.2% from three, and 80% from the line.
What makes Fontecchio particularly interesting heading into the deadline is his contract. That $8.2 million expiring deal is a clean, manageable number-just shy of the coveted $10-20 million “sweet spot” that makes trades easier to piece together.
He’s not a needle-mover on his own, but he’s the kind of player and contract that can help grease the wheels of a larger deal. All it takes is one team to see value in his shooting and plug-and-play versatility.
Terry Rozier
2025-26 Cap Hit: $26.2 million
Contract Status: Expiring
Now here’s where things get murky. Rozier’s situation is complicated-not just in terms of his fit with the Heat, but in terms of whether he can even be traded.
There’s been plenty of chatter, but no clarity. The uncertainty extends beyond Miami’s front office and even seems to have the league office scratching its head.
Still, if Rozier is eligible to be moved, his $27.2 million expiring contract becomes a piece worth shopping. His value on the court has taken a hit, but from a financial standpoint, that contract could be useful in a bigger trade-especially if Miami is eyeing a marquee name.
Shedding that salary now could also open up flexibility for the summer. It’s not about selling Rozier high-it’s about seeing if his deal can help unlock something bigger.
Andrew Wiggins
2025-26 Cap Hit: $28.2 million
Contract Status: One year remaining, $30.2 million player option
Of the three names in the mix, Wiggins is the one generating the most buzz. That doesn’t necessarily make him the most likely to be dealt, but it does suggest teams are paying attention-and for good reason.
Wiggins has quietly put together a solid campaign. He’s averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field.
Perhaps most notably, he’s hitting a career-best 39.8% from beyond the arc. That kind of production, paired with his size, defensive versatility, and playoff experience, makes him an appealing target for contenders looking to shore up their wing depth.
But here’s the catch: unless Miami is getting a first-round pick back-or something close to it-it’s tough to justify moving him. Wiggins’ $30.2 million player option for next season gives the Heat a bit of leverage.
If he opts in, his expiring contract could become a valuable trade chip in the offseason. That’s a big “if,” but it’s a bet the Heat might be willing to make if the right deal doesn’t materialize now.
The Bottom Line
Miami’s front office is walking a tightrope. This is a team that’s too competitive to tear things down, but not quite in the mix with the East’s elite. The deadline offers a chance to recalibrate-not necessarily to make a splashy move, but to position themselves for something bigger down the line.
Fontecchio, Rozier, and Wiggins aren’t headliners, but they’re all pieces that could help Miami get creative at the deadline. Whether that means clearing cap space, adding assets, or setting the stage for a summer swing, the Heat have options. Now it’s just a matter of whether they’ll pull the trigger.