The Miami Heat are riding a four-game winning streak and are reportedly eyeing major roster upgrades, with three former All-Star guards emerging as potential trade targets. According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Kyrie Irving, Jrue Holiday, and Zach LaVine are names linked to the franchise as they seek to bolster their guard depth and title hopes. The Heat's recent form is strong, with a 4W-1L record in their last five games, capped by a dominant 143-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 12, 2026.
Despite the recent success, ESPN projections have Miami finishing seventh in the East next season with 47 wins. Concerns persist about the guard rotation behind Davion Mitchell. The trade deadline in February is seen as a key window for the Heat to transform their roster. Jackson noted Miami has preserved the full nontaxpayer midlevel exception for the 2027 offseason, a tool that could be used to sign a veteran star.
Which former All-Stars are linked to the Miami Heat?
Barry Jackson specifically named Kyrie Irving, Zach LaVine, and Jrue Holiday as former All-Star guards who have been a source of speculation. He stated all three would boost the Heat's championship aspirations. However, Jackson also pointed out that acquiring Irving and Holiday would be difficult, though not necessarily impossible. This places the focus on potential trade scenarios the Heat front office could explore to land one of these elite players.
Like Kevin Durant, who has also been mentioned in connection with Miami, Irving represents a high-profile target. The mention of Holiday and LaVine adds intriguing possibilities given their specific skill sets. Holiday is renowned for his elite perimeter defense and playmaking, while LaVine offers explosive scoring from the wing. The Heat's current roster construction, which you can review on our [squad](/squad) page, suggests a need for more offensive creation.
How could the Heat land Kyrie Irving?
One proposed trade scenario would send Kyrie Irving and Marcus Sasser to the Miami Heat. In return, the Dallas Mavericks would receive Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and a 2029 first-round pick. Reports indicate the Mavericks, who intend to build around Irving and Cooper Flagg, could pivot if the team underperforms before the deadline. This could open a door for Miami to negotiate.
Financially, acquiring Irving's $39.4 million salary would require Miami to part with Wiggins ($30.0 million) and Jovic ($16.2 million). To offset nearly $6.8 million in additional salary for Dallas, including Sasser's $5.1 million contract in the deal seems reasonable. Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. His elite scoring would provide an instant offensive boost to Miami's rotation.
What would a deal for Jrue Holiday look like?
Another potential target is Jrue Holiday. A proposed framework has the Miami Heat receiving Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland would get Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., and a 2032 first-round pick swap in return. Holiday's defensive prowess and veteran leadership are highly valued, especially for a playoff push. His ability to guard multiple positions and help offense would address two of Miami's noted concerns.
This deal would require Portland to be willing to move on from Holiday, who is a significant part of their core. For Miami, parting with Wiggins and Hardaway Jr. Would clear significant salary while adding a proven winner. Holiday's contract and age would be factors, but his skill set is a known commodity that fits the Heat's culture of toughness. You can track how such a move might affect the Eastern Conference [standings](/standings).
What is the outlook for the Heat's roster?
The Heat's roster is already formidable with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and additions like Klay Thompson and Nick Richards have strengthened it. Yet, the guard depth behind Davion Mitchell remains a question mark. Landing one of the three rumored targets would directly answer that question. The team's strong recent form, including that 143-117 win, shows the current core is effective, but the front office is always looking to improve.
The trade deadline will be the next major checkpoint. If the Heat continue their winning ways, currently on a four-game run, the urgency to make a splashy move might adjust. However, the speculation around Irving, Holiday, and LaVine indicates a clear direction of interest. Whether a deal materializes will depend on the trade market and what other offers emerge for these star players.
