Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) protects the basketball from Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.

Miami Heat team president Pat Riley is not a fan of the full rebuild approach, meaning if the right opportunity to land a star presents itself, he could swoop in.

Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant will come at a high asking price, which could lead the Heat’s front office to pursue players in a lesser category. A star who could be available is Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, largely because they are the No. 15 seed in the Western Conference and the 27-year-old is ready to win now.

Bleacher Report predicts the Heat to land him in a blockbuster trade, suddenly cutting ties with emerging rookie Kel’el Ware.

Jazz Receive: Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jović, Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected via Golden State Warriors), 2026 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Heat Receive: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson

Losing Ware, Jovic, Robinson, and Rozier in one deal is risky, considering each of them plays a solid role in Miami’s rotation. However, it’s arguable that even Clarkson is a stronger contributor than anyone the Heat are parting with.

After an All-Star campaign in 2023 and a similar season in 2024, Markkanen is in the midst of a down year. He is averaging 19.3 points and 6.1 rebounds on 42.5 percent shooting and 34.7 percent from three-point range.

A full-strength trio of Markkanen, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo can compete in the Eastern Conference if the right pieces surround them.