The Miami Heat are 25-22 with 10 days left before the trade deadline. (Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images)
The clock is counting down! We are now officially 10 days away from the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The only notable deal thus far is Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a three-player package. But who are names the Miami Heat should consider?!
Disclaimer: I’m dumber than practically every front office executive in the NBA (there’s a reason why I’m here and not there). But that didn’t stop me from putting on my GM cap and identifying 10 players that I’d pursue — or check in on, at the very least — ahead of the trade deadline if I were the Miami Heat and consolidated.
For this exercise, I tried my best to eliminate the obvious choices (everyone wants Giannis Antetokounmpo, duh!). Thus, we dug a little deeper for players — especially those who are either expiring (who we’d hypothetically try to re-sign) or have one more year left on their contracts.
Let’s dive into it!
(Editor’s note: This thought exercise was very hard … and subsequently very fun! A lot of the logistics to make these trades is way easier said than done. None of these names are in any sort of order based on want/need, either.)
Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $7.6 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: Dosunmu has been a Swiss Army Knife for Chicago. The price tag would likely be heftier than some of the other names on this list. But Dosunmu’s been unbelievably efficient and is a capable on-ball defender.
Keon Ellis, Kings:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $2.3 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: We examined this in November. Kings are begging to give away Ellis, their best defender and one of their best 3-point shooters. He’s been stapled to the bench for reasons that remain unknown. Though that could lessen his price tag.
Quentin Grimes, 76ers:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $8.7 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: Grimes took Philadelphia’s $8.7 million qualifying offer, which makes him an UFA this summer. He’s the third fiddle behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, and if the 76ers don’t plan on paying him, they should move him. He’s a high volume shooter (which the Heat need) and a quality defender.
Jaden Ivey, Pistons:
(Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2025-26 Cap Hit: $10.1 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: I don’t expect the Pistons to be big buyers. But they are about to become very expensive if they re-sign Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. Ivey will be hitting restricted free agency this summer, and would give the Heat another capable creator, even though he’s still working his way back from multiple knee injuries.
Jock Landale, Grizzlies:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $2.3 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: Amid injuries to Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke, Landale has filled in amicably in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt. He can space the floor and has a crafty offensive game inside the arc that would immediately raise the Heat’s floor behind Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware for 15-20 minutes per night.
Naji Marshall, Mavericks:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $9.0 million
Remaining years on contract: One year, $9.4 million
Skinny: This is the most unrealistic option because his price tag has probably skyrocketed. Marshall’s better suited to be a role player on a contender — not the Miami Heat. I’d still make the call to check in, however.
Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $9.2 million
Remaining years on contract: Expiring
Skinny: If the Heat consolidate at least one of Norman Powell or Tyler Herro — which I do not expect (educated guess) — I’m calling the Pacers for Mathurin, who has built a very steady floor as a multi-level scorer. He’s on the chopping block and will be entering RFA this summer. But his skillset is redundant with those two aforementioned names, which makes his immediate fit murky.
Yves Missi, Pelicans:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $3.3 million
Remaining years on contract: Two years, $9.1 million
Skinny: Here’s another we’ve discussed recently. I was very high on Missi pre-draft, and he’s receiving buzz ahead of the deadline since he’s the odd man out in New Orleans’ frontcourt. He’s still raw both offensively and defensively. But Missi’s a monster offensive rebounder with good vertical spacing and shot-blocking.
Jalen Smith, Bulls:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $9.0 million
Remaining years on contract: One year, $9.4 million
Skinny: You could argue that Smith’s been the Bulls’ most impactful center this season. He’s averaging 11.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over his last 14 games, turning into a rock solid bench big who can stretch the floor.
Guerschon Yabusele, Knicks:
2025-26 Cap Hit: $5.5 million
Remaining years on contract: One year, $5.6 million (player option)
Skinny: It has done anything but work for Yabusele in The Big Apple. He needs a new change of scenary. Perhaps it works in Miami. Perhaps it doesn’t. But he could help ignite the Heat’s frontcourt off the bench offensively; depending on the cost, it’s worth the flyer.
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Honorable Mentions:
Luke Kennard, Hawks
Devin Carter, Kings (we went over that here)
Jake LaRavia, Lakers
Goga Bitadze, Magic
Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers
Malik Monk, Kings
Anthony Black, Magic (ORL will say no)
Jared McCain, 76ers
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