With LeBron James expected to return for at least one more NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers should be willing to part with nearly any piece on their roster to make a legitimate push for a title. One name drawing heavy trade buzz this offseason is rising star guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off a career-best season. Reaves posted impressive numbers: 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent overall and nearly 38 percent from beyond the arc.
A potential trade partner in need of a significant roster overhaul is the Miami Heat. After dealing Jimmy Butler in February, the Heat were led by Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo to a first-round playoff exit. The early elimination, combined with Butler’s departure, has pushed team president Pat Riley to commit to a fresh start for the upcoming season.
FanSided has floated a trade proposal that would help both teams meet their goals:
Heat receive: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber
Lakers receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
This trade package would cost the Heat quite a bit—Wiggins is a proven former All-Star with postseason experience, while both Ware and Jaquez Jr. have shown early signs of becoming standout talents. However, the fit could be worth it for Miami.
According to the article, “The Heat have a more immediate need for what Reaves brings to the table. They lack a secondary shot-creator to help ease the burden on Herro. They also need reliable shooting to open up space for Adebayo in the paint. And overall, the team needs a scoring boost.”
Pairing Herro with Reaves in the backcourt could be a potent offensive move, but it comes with defensive concerns. Although Adebayo would remain a key anchor in the paint, opposing teams with elite guards—such as the Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell or the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson—could take advantage of the defensive vulnerabilities in that lineup.
Still, this aggressive approach isn’t new for Miami. The front office took a similar gamble when it traded for Terry Rozier from the Hornets. While that move didn’t yield the desired results, the Heat may still be inclined to pursue another offensively skilled guard like Reaves, especially if the deal makes sense financially and strategically.
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