It wouldn't be a regular season without the Miami Heat facing some type of adversity, but this season may be different. They are rumored to be shopping starting point guard Terry Rozier, as well as starting small forward and star Jimmy Butler, who will be a free agent after this season.
22 games into the season, the Heat have failed to make much of an impact in the Eastern Conference and currently are just the fifth seed. Team president Pat Riley may see the writing on the wall and be willing to hit the reset button with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks dominating the conference.
Another potential reason is the emergence of Tyler Herro, who has taken a step toward superstardom.
Tyler Herro looks like he's taking a serious leap in his age 24 season...
— NBA University (@NBA_University) December 9, 2024
His confidence shooting the ball, getting to the line, and playmaking for others is at an all time high. Keeping Miami afloat right now. pic.twitter.com/noKpcTWzI8
The 24-year-old is averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game and is looking every bit like a star. He paired with 27-year-old Bam Adebayo, and the Heat might be able to make a quick pivot to a new era.
NBA Rumors: The middling Miami Heat may be planning a fire sale with Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.
Although the 35-year-old Butler may not draw a major haul for him, it looks like there may be a bidding war to acquire him. The Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and his hometown Houston Rockets are all reportedly interested in trading for him, and while he can become a free agent this summer, they presumably want him to be able to make a playoff push.
As far as potential assets from a potential Butler deal, the Heat could conceivably receive a first-round pick, a young player, and rotation players. Getting the first-round pick, a young player, and a couple of rotation players would be a good return given that they haven't indicated that they will try to re-sign him.
If that is the case, then they should jump at the chance to retool their roster with Herro and Adebayo serving as their new focal points. They even have a few promising young players, Jaime Jacques Jr. and Kellel Ware, giving them more potential building blocks.
The Heat may not be able to quickly retool around those players, but it would give them more flexibility with them having traded most of their picks and being near the second tax apron. Taking a season or two to figure out the cap situation as well as be able to restock their draft stockpile makes plenty of sense.
It would also potentially allow them to reenter the Eastern Conference playoff race, with teams such as the Boston Celtics having to break up due to the second tax apron and the Philadelphia 76ers possibly having aged out with Joel Embiid being 32 in a couple of years and Paul George being 36.
Taking a step back for a season or two could ultimately prove to be a better route for the Heat. That begins with them moving on from two of their veterans.