Report: Miami Heat Open to Trading 2 Stars for ‘Significant Backcourt Upgrade’

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Report: Miami Heat Open to Trading 2 Stars for ‘Significant Backcourt Upgrade’

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 26: Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks pauses during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 26, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Getty

Adel Ahmad

Fri, September 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM UTC ·

4 min read

Two Names Emerge in Miami Heat's Potential Deal for Star Guard

GettySALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 24: Nikola Jovic #5 of the Miami Heat drives into Kyle Anderson #2 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Delta Center on January 24, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Miami has a dependable starting point guard in Davion Mitchell — though it is fair to question whether he is the ideal playmaking option for Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo — but not much more at the position. That has mainly fueled the Kyrie Irving-to-Miami speculation that has taken off recently.

According to Heat insider Ira Winderman, with the team in need of a star option at guard, stars Bobby Portis and Nikola Jovic are the first in line to be included in a potential trade.

"With Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Heat clearly prioritized their backcourt with their remaining resources after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade," Winderman wrote in a subscriber-only Q&A . "You can only do so much in a single offseason. So for now, figure on a wait-and-see approach, knowing there remains the possibility of putting the Bobby Portis and Nikola Jovic salaries into a trade at some point should a significant backcourt upgrade come available."

It is clear why the Heat could look to move Portis and Jovic first, given that both players are on mid-tier salaries that can be put together to land a star who is on a $30 million to $40 million average annual salary.

Now whether another team would be open to taking Portis or Jovic in a trade is another conversation. But the Heat does at least have the contracts to make the machinations of a major trade work.

Jovic is Likely the Better Trade Chip

Before the Antetokounmpo blockbuster, the Heat had one of the most attractive collections of young talent in the league. That's what helped the team acquire a consensus top five player in the NBA . Now, it's a different story.

Jovic is one of the Heat's few remaining young assets, but his contract may make it hard for Miami to move him — if it indeed tries to.

Winderman did note in an earlier subscriber-only Q&A that the Heat wouldn't think much before moving Jovic if a deal for a star guard came about.

"I see this all as a work in progress. Remember, Myron Gardner only has a partial guarantee, so there remains a means to bring in two additional players for the start of the season, with a buyout market that might not be done yet, with the Aug. 29 "stretch" deadline looming," Winderman wrote. "And, yes, do not rule out trades. The Heat can express all the hope they want with Nikola Jovic, but if the right deal comes along for the right player, this will all be about go-time."

Jovic is entering the 2026-27 season off a down previous year, but there seems to be some idea that the 23-year-old forward could build up his trade value enough to help the Heat land a backcourt star ahead of next season's trade deadline.

This article was originally published on HEAVY