The 2024–25 season was a challenging one for the Miami Heat. Following Jimmy Butler's trade to the Golden State Warriors amid internal conflicts and suspensions, the Heat struggled to find their footing.
Their season culminated in a first-round playoff sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a staggering 55-point loss in Game 4 marking the most lopsided series in the NBA playoffs so far. This defeat highlighted the team's need for significant changes to return to championship contention.
In response, the Heat's front office, led by president Pat Riley, is exploring bold moves to revitalize the roster. A potential four-team trade involving the Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons is on the table, aiming to acquire seasoned players such as DeMar DeRozan, Tobias Harris, and John Collins.
These additions would complement the emerging talents of first-time All-Star Tyler Herro and defensive anchor Bam Adebayo, forming a formidable trio. Let's dive into the trade and how it works out for everyone.
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Tobias Harris
Detroit Pistons Receive: John Collins
Utah Jazz Receive: Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat: Creating a New Big Three to Return to Playoff Contention
The franchise is poised to retool its roster after a tumultuous 2024–25 season that saw the Miami Heat swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jimmy Butler's departure left a leadership void, and the team struggled to find consistency. In response, the Heat can orchestrate a four-team trade to acquire veteran All-Star DeMar DeRozan, aiming to form a new Big Three alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
DeRozan, who averaged 22.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game during the 2024–25 season, brings a wealth of experience and a proven scoring ability to Miami. His mid-range proficiency and playmaking skills are expected to complement Herro's perimeter shooting and Adebayo's interior presence.
This strategic acquisition would signal the Heat's commitment to returning to playoff contention and reestablishing themselves as a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. While an NBA title won't be guaranteed, the Heat would be far better off with DeRozan than they are now, especially when they are looking up at the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and even the Indiana Pacers moving forward.
Sacramento Kings: Adding a Versatile Scorer in Tobias Harris
The Sacramento Kings, seeking to enhance their offensive versatility, could acquire forward Tobias Harris in the multi-team trade. Harris, who posted averages of 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the 2024–25 season, offers a reliable scoring option and veteran presence.
His ability to stretch the floor and contribute on both ends of the court aligns with the Kings' strategic objectives, which are to remain competitive around Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Keegan Murray.
Integrating Harris into a lineup featuring Domantas Sabonis, LaVine, and Murray provides Sacramento with a balanced offense. His experience and consistency are expected to bolster the team's playoff aspirations, because the team could have used that in the playoffs this year.
This move reflects the Kings' dedication to building a competitive roster capable of making a deep postseason run, and it also gets rid of one ball-dominant scorer because we already saw from the Chicago Bulls days that LaVine and DeRozan won't work together come playoff time.
Detroit Pistons: Infusing Athleticism with John Collins
In an effort to invigorate their frontcourt, the Detroit Pistons could acquire power forward John Collins through the trade. Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game during the 2024–25 season, showcasing his athleticism and scoring prowess.
His dynamic play style is anticipated to complement the Pistons' young core and accelerate their rebuilding process. He is also one of the more underrated NBA players because he is a perfect stretch forward in the modern game (39.9% 3-PT FG) and doesn't need a ton of touches to be effective.
Pairing Collins with emerging talents like Cade Cunningham (26.1 PPG, 9.1 APG) and Jaden Ivey (17.6 PPG) provides Detroit with a versatile and energetic lineup. His ability to finish at the rim and contribute defensively addresses key areas of need for the Pistons.
This acquisition signifies Detroit's commitment to developing a competitive team because they were very impressive in pushing the New York Knicks to six games in the first round and could be one talented piece away from being a threat to progress next year.
Utah Jazz: Acquiring Promising Talent with Rozier and Jaquez Jr.
The Utah Jazz could strategically acquire guard Terry Rozier and forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. to enhance their roster depth and future potential. Rozier, who averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the 2024–25 season, brings veteran leadership and scoring capability, assuming he beats his gambling allegations and returns to the court.
Meanwhile, Jaquez Jr., recognized for his participation in the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge, offers youthful energy and versatility on the wing. He posted 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this past season and is only 24 years old, making him a perfect rebuilding option.
Integrating these players provides the Jazz with a blend of experience and emerging talent. Of course, the first-round pick would be perfect for a rebuilding franchise, and that would be their "gift" taking on Rozier. Even if they don't want to keep Rozier, the guard's contract expires after next season, which means a $26.6 million bill could be cleared from their cap space in short order.
