A blockbuster Miami Heat trade pitch sees the franchise adding a well-compensated All-Star forward.
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And no, it's not nine-time All-NBA Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom the Heat have been eyeing off and on for years now — including as recently as this summer.
The Heat are now searching for their next superstar after six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler forced a trade out of town. Butler ultimately landed with the Golden State Warriors at the 2025 deadline, instantly transforming the seemingly lottery-bound team into fringe contenders in a talented Western Conference. Miami, meanwhile, stumbled to a 37-45 record and got swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A new two-time All-Star for the Heat
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, who slammed the Heat as "the Miami Lukewarm on paper right now," proposed that the club consider bringing in two-time All-Star New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, who has struggled with health and personal issues since being selected with the No. 1 pick out of Duke in the 2019 NBA Draft.
"With no real chance at a title this season unless they swing a big trade, a deal for a newly-slimmed down Zion Williamson would breathe some life into the franchise," Swartz wrote.
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The 6-foot-6 pro, now 25, has been limited to 30 or fewer games in four of his six pro seasons, including missing all of 2021-22 to recover from a surgery to address a right foot Jones fracture.
Last year, Williamson appeared in just 30 games, averaging 24.6 points on 56.7 percent shooting from the field and 65.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe. He also pulled down 7.2 boards, dished out 5.3 dimes, swiped 1.2 steals and blocked 0.9 shots.
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