Heat Interested in Trading for $67 Million 7-Footer with All-Star History: Report
The Miami Heat have yet to make significant moves in free agency or the trade market, but they remain in the hunt for top talent.
Two notable players who may be on the move are Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz and DeMar DeRozan, formerly of the Chicago Bulls. ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on July 5 that the Heat are officially among the teams interested in acquiring Markkanen.
“A pile of teams have shown interest in him including the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, and [Golden State] Warriors,” Lowe wrote.
Lowe also noted that the Heat have lagged behind in free agency, especially compared to the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, who have made significant improvements. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics remain strong after winning the NBA title in June.
“Miami barely got to play with Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro available together. Nikola Jovic made a leap that presaged another. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is legit. Miami could unlock enough future first-round picks to get into trade talks for some stars,” Lowe wrote. “But Boston widened the gap and shed the postseason shakes that troubled it in past series against Miami. The Heat are nearing a crossroads.”
Lauri Markkanen Could Provide Needed Offense
Markkanen, a 7-foot stretch big man, has shot over 39% from three-point range in the past two seasons, averaging 7.7 and 8.0 attempts per game. He has also averaged 25.6 and 23.2 points per game in the last two seasons and has a career average of 7.3 rebounds per game.
After struggling to find his fit with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen thrived with the Utah Jazz, earning All-Star honors in the 2022-23 season.
Entering his age-27 season, Markkanen is in the final year of a four-year contract worth nearly $67.5 million, with a cap hit just over $18 million for 2024-25. This makes him a more feasible trade target for the Heat compared to DeRozan, who is likely seeking a substantial payday as a free agent.
Lowe noted that Miami could offer first-round picks and young players to the Jazz in exchange for Markkanen, though the price would be high and could impact the Heat’s draft options for years.
Trading Jimmy Butler: Another Option for the Heat
Another path for the Heat to make a significant acquisition is trading Jimmy Butler, their star player for the past five seasons.
Butler, heading into his age-35 season, has two years left on a three-year, $146.4 million contract, with the final season being a player option, essentially making it an expiring deal.
Butler has recently sought an extension with Miami, but the team did not agree. He has since stated he is no longer seeking an extension, setting him up for unrestricted free agency next summer.
Teams interested in extending Butler immediately or those looking to offload a big contract might find his expiring deal attractive, making him a potential trade asset either this summer or up until next season’s trade deadline.
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