The Miami Heat are set to offload star forward Jimmy Butler from the squad. With Miami suspending Butler thrice in the last few weeks, the relationship between the player and the franchise has turned sour and it seems a trade is the best option for both the parties. Thus, as the 6-time All-Star is about to depart, the Miami Heat have started to explore replacement options and as per a report they desire to sign a player like Luka Doncic.
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Miami Heat Admire Luka Doncic's Attributes
Luka Doncic, who has over the years garnered a legendary stature within the Dallas Mavericks and remains one of the best players in the NBA, is a dream signing for almost all the teams and the Miami Heat are on the lookout to compensate an All-Star with an All-Star.
Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald have reported that the Heat are making the adjustments to sign an all-star player for the 2026 offseason. Moreover, they are searching for a player whose attributes match with that of Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
"According to a source," the article states, "the Heat also has felt it should receive a carrot (likely a draft pick) if it takes players whose contracts run through next season. Taking on non-All-Stars whose contracts run past 2025-26 has been a non-starter for Miami, which is positioned to have more than $80 million in cap space that summer. Several All-Stars, including Luka Doncic, are eligible to become free agents that summer.”
Luka Doncic is an Integral Part of Dallas Mavericks
Doncic has a player option available for the 2026-27 season worth $48.97 million but will be eligible to extend from this coming offseason, where he can sign a whopping deal worth $346 million for five years, ESPN's Bobby Marks. It is hard to imagine a reality where the Mavericks won't sign him to that deal or that Doncic doesn't accept.
In the current season, Luka Doncic has continuously endured injuries. He is presently inactive due to a calf injury he suffered on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The star guard is expected to return ahead of the All-Star break.