The Miami Heat’s offseason already looks like one of the biggest in franchise history, but the team may not be finished making noise.
After landing Giannis Antetokounmpo and adding veteran help in Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis, Miami still has at least one more big-name possibility on the radar: Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving has been mentioned in trade talks for what feels like the past couple of seasons, and the Heat have reportedly been loosely connected to him since he returned to the court for the first time since March 3, 2025. A deal would likely require Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic as the main pieces heading out of Miami.
At the moment, a move before the regular season looks unlikely. But the picture could change by February’s trade deadline, especially if Dallas gets off to a rough start. If that happens, Irving would be more likely to land on the trade block and be moved before the deadline.
The Mavericks are in a rebuild after dealing Luka Doncic in 2025 and then selecting Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick they received last summer. Irving’s age doesn’t really match that timeline unless Dallas believes it can contend right away.
For Miami, the appeal is clear. Davion Mitchell has become a steady piece, but the Heat still have to decide whether he can be the starting point guard on a real contender. Pat Riley and the front office may need to answer that question sooner rather than later.
Even coming off an ACL injury, Irving would give Miami a major lift in the backcourt. He would instantly be the best guard the Heat have had in a long time, and he remains under contract through this season with a player option for the 2027-28 season.
In Other News...
Heat Face A Costly Frontcourt Decision Before Opening Night
Nick Richards is giving the Heat something to think about as opening night approaches, and not just because he arrived on a non-guaranteed deal. His contract only becomes guaranteed if he makes the roster for the opener, which means Miami has to decide quickly whether the big man fits into its plans as the team sorts through the edges of the frontcourt.
The early signs point toward Richards having a real chance to stick, largely because the Heat could use the help up front and he has flashed rebounding ability in limited preseason minutes. For a team that likes to keep roster flexibility, this is the kind of decision that can quietly shape the start of the season, even if it doesn't carry the same spotlight as the bigger names. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Fans Wont Like How Giannis And Bam Are Being Viewed
Bleacher Reports latest ranking of the NBAs top 30 defenders added another layer to the ongoing conversation around elite frontcourt defense, and it is the kind of list Heat fans are likely to have opinions on. Giannis Antetokounmpo landed at No. 10, with Bam Adebayo at No. 25, even as both players have built reputations on the defensive end for different reasons. Antetokounmpo is still seen as a force around the rim, while Adebayos value comes from the range of matchups he can handle across multiple positions.
For Miami, the interesting part is not just where Adebayo was placed, but how the broader perception of these defenders stacks up against what the Heat have seen from their own side of the matchup. The rankings have already sparked debate because Antetokounmpo and Adebayo are widely viewed as one of the leagues stronger defensive frontcourt pairings, and yet the list leaves room for disagreement about how that talent is being weighed. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Depth Looks Better But One Problem Could Still Undermine It
The Heat have spent the offseason trying to make life easier on the regulars, and on paper the bench looks a lot sturdier than it did a year ago. Pelle Larsson, Bobby Portis Jr. and Tim Hardaway Jr. all figure to have real roles, giving Miami more usable minutes and more options when the starters sit.
Even so, the deeper group does not erase every concern. Frontcourt depth still looms as a question, and the Heat also need steadier play from the rotation if the new mix is going to hold up. Much may hinge on health and who can take some of the ballhandling burden behind the starters, with Bam Adebayo's start to the season carrying extra weight as Miami tries to sort out its early identity. [Read more 🡒]