Report: Miami has largely avoided acquiring star players due to off-court issues, coachability concerns, or problematic contracts in recent years

The Miami Heat have sat idly by, watching as teams throughout the Eastern Conference have gotten better in recent years. Miami has reportedly avoided acquiring star players in that span for reasons unrelated to their play. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported:

Miami has made either no effort or little effort to acquire several players who might have helped in recent years because of off-court baggage, questions about their coachability or their contracts.

The Heat decided not to try to acquire Beal last summer because of his no trade clause, according to the Heat. The Heat were hesitant to aggressively pursue Irving when Brooklyn made him available, and a person directly involved with Kyle Lowry said the Heat assured Kyle Lowry — two years ago — that he would not be traded for Irving. [h/t Miami Herald]

Jackson noted that Heat president Pat Riley is very selective in trade negotiations. He has reportedly avoided deals that make the team a little better, but could cost at lot in terms of the luxury tax and assets. The Heat, who finished 8th in the East in each of the past two seasons, have not made any upgrades via trade or free agency thus far.

Meanwhile, several Eastern Conference contenders have made significant moves to improve this offseason. The Philadelphia 76ers made the biggest splash of free agency by signing Paul George to a four-year, $212 million deal. The New York Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade. Finally, the Orlando Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $66 million contract.

Miami Heat unlikely to acquire big name player this offseason

Oct 12, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over the defense of Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

While the Miami Heat are just one season removed from a trip to the NBA Finals, it is clear they need more to compete for a championship. It is unlikely they significantly improve this offseason, according to Barry Jackson of Miami Herald, who wrote:

If it could, the sense here is that the Heat would be willing to part with young assets to acquire an available All Star. But there’s no obvious target, unless Donovan Mitchell surprises everybody and asks out of Cleveland. The Heat must hope that Bam Adebayo or somebody is in Mitchell’s ear imploring him to ask to be traded to Miami.

What about Atlanta guard Trae Young? That’s not realistic, considering the Heat has only one available first-round pick to offer and considering that the Hawks have no incentive to tank because the Spurs own their unprotected first round picks in 2025 and 2027 and can swap picks with the Hawks in 2026. [h/t Miami Herald]

Miami has several young players – Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic – that would intrigue potential trade partners. Their lack of draft capital will make it difficult to find a dance partner, however, as their best package for a star player would be easy for others to outbid.

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