Heat Could Shockingly Launch Rebuild By Trading Aging All-Star For Top-5 Pick

Heat make surprise Andrew Wiggins decision — but it may not last long

January and February 2026 have the potential to change the next half decade for the Miami Heat.

The Heat’s roster is in limbo as it stands with their three All-Stars, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins, leading the charge. However, Miami is also home to tons of youthful talent, including Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nikola Jovic. Depending on how the team performs in the first half of the 2025-2026 season, the front office could make major changes at the trade deadline.

Let’s say the Heat crumble to start the year, it could push team president Pat Riley and company to jumpstart a rebuild. While a trade centered around Adebayo or Herro is possible by that point, it’s much more likely the 30-year-old is the first one dealt.

Enter a blockbuster trade proposal with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are expected to contend in a weaker Eastern Conference next season, which is why Wiggins could strongly appeal to them by February.

The Heat could trade Wiggins, Jaquez Jr., a 2029 first-round pick (lottery protected), and a 2031 first-round pick (unprotected) to Detroit for Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II.

This is a huge gamble by the Heat on the potential of the 20-year-old Holland, who didn’t display much in his rookie campaign. The lack of flashes does, however, stem largely from his lack of playing time (15.6 minutes per game). Holland, the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, proved during his time with the G League Ignite he is a freak of nature athlete capable of contributing at a high level on both sides of the ball.

As a quick note, Stewart is included largely to match salaries but is a solid rotational piece who fits the ‘Heat Culture’ mold.

It’s an absurd investment even for a top-five pick, but a deeper glance suggests Miami isn’t parting with as much as you’d believe. Wiggins is quite useless to the Heat if they intend on rebuilding, and Jaquez Jr. holds serious potential but wasn’t cracking the rotation late last season. Meanwhile, one of the picks is heavily protected, and the other lines up with when Miami should be contending once again.

The Pistons are, of course, seriously competing in the East if they are willing to part with Holland so soon.

With Wiggins gone in this scenario, the Heat could then seek out huge deals involving Adebayo or Herro with a core of Holland and Ware in place.

Related Posts

Mets’ Jonah Tong accomplishes feat that hasn’t been seen in 90 years

New York Mets starting pitcher Jonah Tong accomplished a feat during his MLB debut that hasn’t been seen in 90 years.

Mets still in the hunt — but can they fix their biggest flaws before October?

Three things to watch for as the Mets enter the final month of the season

May Met Augustitude be Forgot « Faith and Fear in Flushing

The trumpeter who scores the postgame scurry to the 7 on Mets Plaza made an interesting musical choice in the minutes following the fresh 5-1 loss the Marlins had inflicted upon the Mets inside Citi Field. He played “Auld Lang Syne,” a number usually reserved for December 31 rather than August 31. I wondered if the wistful tune struck him as appropriate as we were bidding goodbye to summer on this late Sunday afternoon, or because the Mets have been dropping the ball with such force that they might be called on to re-enact their core incompetency in Times Square come New Year’s Eve.

Benches clear in Marlins-Mets game after heated exchange

Tempers flared during Sunday’s game between the Miami Marlins and New York Mets after a batter was hit by a pitch, and a heated exchange led to both

Yankees rookie pitcher is turning heads with electric velocity

Yankees rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler is breaking out with electric stuff, quickly emerging as a potential frontline starter for the future.

Aaron Judge Ties Yogi Berra on All-Time Yankees List

Aaron Judge continues to make his push toward his third MVP award of his career. While Judge, and the New York Yankees, have struggled over the past few months,…