This proposed trade between the Heat and the Wizards is a win-win
By Cem Yolbulan
The training camp is underway and the preseason games are about to start, and the Washington Wizards still need to cut their roster to 15 players before the season opener. This means that at least two players on guaranteed contracts have to be moved in the next few weeks. The best way to do this could be by an unbalanced trade where the Wizards send out multiple players in exchange for one and draft picks.
One potential trade partner for Washington could be the Miami Heat. After striking out on the trade market and free agency, the Heat are in a tough situation with their Eastern Conference foes, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, having loaded up with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, respectively. They may be desperate to get involved in a trade to save face before the season.
Not only did the Heat lose out on the Lillard sweepstakes, but they also lost significant depth with the departures of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus this summer. It makes sense for them to at least try to get some rotation pieces in a trade to win with depth instead of star power.
That’s why a trade construction like this could make sense:
Kyle Lowry has been in trade rumors all offseason. He is past his prime and is overpaid with $29.6 million due next season. The relationship between him and the Heat organization may be strained.
However, he is also an expiring contract and a consummate professional. The Wizards could utilize him as a veteran presence and mentor for this young team. He fits well next to Jordan Poole as a strong, defense-first guard. He would still be a buyout or trade candidate at the trade deadline so that he can play for a championship contender in the final stages of his career.
The Wizards get an additional second-round pick from the Miami Heat, one that belongs to the Lakers in 2026. Depending on where Anthony Davis and Lebron James are in their respective careers at that time, this could potentially be a valuable pick.
More importantly, however, the Wizards solve their roster crunch issue and open up more playing time for their young players. Moreover, they do right by these veterans by trading them to a contender. This is important in building a positive reputation for the franchise.
The Miami Heat, on the other hand, add three depth pieces for a reasonable price. Delon Wright and Landry Shamet could fill the Gabe Vincent and Max Strus roles to a degree. The trio of Wright, Shamet, and Gallinari are presumably more helpful for the Heat next season than the 37-year-old Lowry would have been. Adding this much depth without sacrificing any meaningful draft picks, promising prospects, or future financial flexibility is just good business for Miami.
This may not be the most exciting trade for either side, but it makes sense both in the short and long term for both Miami and Washington.
