As the Miami Heat prepare to aim for the heavens this offseason, there’s one player the team will almost certainly have to include in any potential deal for a star player. That player is none other than Andrew Wiggins. Even though the Heat has plenty of players who could qualify as salary filler candidates in a potential roster-changing move, Wiggins is the player who sticks out as the one who could provide the most value in any potential deal.

For that reason, Wiggins is almost certainly going to be included in any blockbuster deal that the Heat may end up exploring this offseason. Even though the Heat would like to keep a two-way player like Wiggins around, especially if they’re able to strike a deal for a star player this offseason, that’s probably an unlikely scenario, unless they’re willing to unload every possible draft asset. That doesn’t seem like a smart play from Miami, unless the ultimate target is Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But even Miami’s best trade offer for Giannis would likely be blown away by offers from the likes of San Antonio and Houston.

The Heat made the move for Wiggins with a bigger one in mind

Thinking back to the Jimmy Butler trade, the one which brought Wiggins to Miami in the first place, this was probably always the ultimate outcome for Wiggins. Trying to make the best out of the situation, the Heat made the trade for Jimmy in an attempt to get the most value pieces. Wiggins, in many ways, was part of that calculation from Miami.

Far from a perfect centerpiece of a deal at this point in his career, Wiggins still provides value as a veteran contributor for any team. The fact that he has a player option after this season will add even more value to his trade market. The hope for the Heat would be that the inclusion of Wiggins in a deal could help them save a future pick in a deal for a star player. Whether that would actually be the case remains to be seen. However, Wiggins is the only veteran player who represents that value on the trade market at this point.

Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier could be viewed as veteran salary fillers too, but I can’t imagine either one of those players has as much value as Wiggins will have on the trade block. If the Heat does end up making a splash move this offseason, which is still far from a guarantee despite Miami’s efforts, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Wiggins will be involved one way or another.