Heat Were Open To Trading Multiple Young Players In Deal For James Harden

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Miami Heat were open to trading multiple young players and potentially a 2025 first rounder to the Houston Rockets in exchange for James Harden.

The Heat are currently unable to trade a future first round pick due to the pick obligation of their 2023 first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Heat and Thunder could agree to a deal to unlock that pick protection.

The Heat would have to include Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk to match salary.

Houston could want even more than a package of Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, KZ Okpala, Iguodala, Olynyk and first round picks in 2025 and 2027, sources tell the Miami Herald.

Miami currently is unwilling to give up that much in a trade package for Harden.

Via Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

[Scalabrine]

Nunn and a 2nd to OKC for releasing the pick swap.

Muscala and Harden to Mia

Herro, Achiuwa, Iggy, Leonard, Okpala plus the pick swap release, and 25 first to HOU.

Mia
Olynyk/Muscala
Bam/Silva
Butler/Harkless
Robinson/Bradley
Harden/Dragic

Hou
Wood/Cousins
Tucker/Caboclo
Iggy/House
Herro/Gordon/Brown
Wall/Gordon

[Cassius]

Nunn and a 2nd to OKC for releasing the pick swap.

Muscala and Harden to Mia

Herro, Achiuwa, Iggy, Leonard, Okpala plus the pick swap release, and 25 first to HOU.

Mia
Olynyk/Muscala
Bam/Silva
Butler/Harkless
Robinson/Bradley
Harden/Dragic

Hou
Wood/Cousins
Tucker/Caboclo
Iggy/House
Herro/Gordon/Brown
Wall/Gordon

There's no way Houston walks away with only Herro as a bonafide high potential player. One of Duncan or Nunn would have to become Rockets, in addition to Herro.

[Scalabrine]

Nunn and a 2nd to OKC for releasing the pick swap.

Muscala and Harden to Mia

Herro, Achiuwa, Iggy, Leonard, Okpala plus the pick swap release, and 25 first to HOU.

Mia
Olynyk/Muscala
Bam/Silva
Butler/Harkless
Robinson/Bradley
Harden/Dragic

Hou
Wood/Cousins
Tucker/Caboclo
Iggy/House
Herro/Gordon/Brown
Wall/Gordon

There's no way Houston walks away with only Herro as a bonafide high potential player. One of Duncan or Nunn would have to become Rockets, in addition to Herro.

I figured that much too, but both are going to need new deals after this season and are 26+ years old. Takes a lot of value away from them for a team like the Rockets who are clearly in a transition period.

I imagine Iggy would be moved to a 4th team that would give up another Nunn/Robinson level player that has a little more team control. Brooklyn, with Prince going to Houston? Spurs for Mills? Hawks for Snell + 2nd? Pacers for Lamb?

[Killboard]

No Bam No deal. Herro and Robinson and 2 late picks won't cut it.

[luss54321]

No Bam No deal. Herro and Robinson and 2 late picks won't cut it.

Not worth it for Miami. No way I would trade a 23 year old emerging all-star in addition to players like Herro and Robinson. Harden's value has taken a sharp decline since his offseason antics.

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

No Bam No deal. Herro and Robinson and 2 late picks won't cut it.

For a 31 year old Harden? Bam is untouchable, he's a 23 year old all-star who's going to get better.

[Theo Ratliff]

Those first round picks could have been turned into gold depending on the protection.

[Killboard]

No Bam No deal. Herro and Robinson and 2 late picks won't cut it.

For a 31 year old Harden? Bam is untouchable, he's a 23 year old all-star who's going to get better.

I'm fine with it. Still is what a trade for a 31 year old HoF should be.

[TheCage4]

Butler and Harden won’t work together. Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make.

[Theo Ratliff]

No Bam No deal. Herro and Robinson and 2 late picks won't cut it.

For a 31 year old Harden? Bam is untouchable, he's a 23 year old all-star who's going to get better.

Unless Bam starts shooting and making 3's. He's basically Andre Drummond in a shooters league.

[hyberx]

2021, Heat trades for James Harden. 2022, after losing in the first round, Heat trades away Butler and Harden claim he knows nothing about it.