The Miami Heat had a surprisingly underwhelming season in 2024-25 as their year was overshadowed by Jimmy Butler's shocking trade request. They managed to capture the eighth seed in the Play-In Tournament, however, they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Miami suffered a 55-point blowout loss in Game 4 and they were outscored by 122 points in the series, setting an NBA record for the most lopsided series in postseason history.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz finished with a 17-65 record, the worst mark in the entire NBA. They are tied for the best odds to land the top-overall pick -- and presumably former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg -- in the 2025 NBA Draft. While they had an awful season, Utah has several veterans that could generate interest on the trade market.
A recent trade proposal suggested that the Heat could look to acquire a trio of Jazz veterans to bolster the offensive attack.
"Miami Heat Receive: F Lauri Markkanen, G Collin Sexton, G Jordan Clarkson Utah Jazz Receive: Nikola Jović, F Andrew Wiggins, G Terry Rozier, F Duncan Robinson, 2025 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors), 2029 first-round pick (top-5 protected)," Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz wrote Tuesday. "This was one of the most disappointing and ugliest seasons in recent memory for the Heat, a franchise that's been incredibly successful the past two decades... One player may not do it. Instead, Miami should be pursuing multiple starters and/or rotation players who can fill in around Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and others to get this roster good enough to win a playoff series again. Markkanen, 27, has averaged 23.0 points and 7.7 rebounds on 38.0 percent shooting from deep the past three seasons for the Jazz. Sexton, 26, put up 18.4 points on 40.6 percent from three last year, while Clarkson, 32, is a recent Sixth Man of the Year award winner who chipped in 16.2 points per game off the bench in 2024-25. All three would give Miami an infusion of talent while allowing the Heat to keep their main guys."
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Swartz added that the move would allow the Jazz to fully rebuild while getting rid of contracts that won't fit the timeline of whichever rookie they land. He noted that Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson represent expiring contracts, while Nikola Jović is just 21 years old and fits the timeline of a rebuild.
Meanwhile, Utah would acquire two first-round picks in the deal and could likely attain more draft capital for Andrew Wiggins. While it is unclear if Utah would be willing to move Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson in the same deal, the proposed package could make plenty of sense for both sides.
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