The Miami Heat just pulled off the biggest trade of the summer by acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even so, the team does not plan on stopping there. With Giannis and All-Star big man Bam Adebayo, the Heat certainly have a star-studded core, but they still need to build up their supporting cast.
According to the latest rumblings, they already have their eyes on one target: Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Buddy Hield. He’s owed another $20 million over the next two seasons, but not all is guaranteed. That’s why they could decide to let him go this summer, giving Miami the perfect opportunity to add him to their arsenal.
“Also, keep an eye on Buddy Hield; only $3 million of his $9.6 million salary is guaranteed, but the Hawks must make a decision by Thursday, per his contract. Hield, who has had interest in the Heat in the past, averaged 7.6 points and shot 34.9% on threes in 51 games for Golden State and Atlanta. He’s a career 39.5% three-point shooter,” wrote Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The Miami Heat are undergoing a massive reshuffling right now, as the franchise adjusts to the arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo. After finishing 10th in the standings this past season (43-39), they are suddenly burdened with championship expectations and all the pressure that comes with it.
If the Heat want to avoid becoming the Bucks, they must work now to build a roster that’s worthy of Giannis’ game. That means stocking up on shooters and guys who can consistently spread the floor. Since they are likely to lose Norman Powell, it’s even more urgent to find that perimeter scorer, and Buddy Hield can certainly fill the role.
The 33-year-old veteran, who was drafted sixth overall in 2016, is on his fourth team in three seasons, jumping from the Pacers to the 76ers, to the Warriors, and then the Hawks for seven games in the 2025-26 campaign. Despite a gradual decline in production (and role), Hield is still someone who can be effective in the right situation, as he’s proven with career averages of 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.3 steals per game on 48.1% shooting and 41.2% shooting from three.
Alongside Giannis, Bam, Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell, Hield could thrive in the backcourt off open looks and the guidance of head coach Erik Spoelstra. Under the influence of Miami’s iconic championship culture, Hield could revive his career, restore his value, and prove himself as a regular rotation player on a contending team.
Regardless of Hield’s arrival, however, the Heat will continue to seek opportunities for improvement. While the Giannis trade has drastically depleted their assets, they still have some players and draft picks to offer, which they can use to land a mid-level role player. The rest they’ll have to sign with minimum contracts in free agency, where options are dwindling by the day.
In the end, while Buddy Hield is hardly the most lucrative trade target, he’s a realistic and affordable option for a Heat team that’s desperate to make upgrades. In their first summer with Giannis, the Heat must show they can build a contender, and it starts with taking the right risks.
