Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2026. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

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Miami Heat Could Pursue Kawhi Leonard, Trae Young, Ja Morant If They Don’t Get Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ashish MathurJune 16, 2026 4:00 PMJune 16, 2026 4:17 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Heat’s Backup Star Targets

Contingency Trade Plan: If the Miami Heat fail to secure Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the front office is prepared to pivot toward blockbuster trade pursuits for Kawhi Leonard, Trae Young or Ja Morant.
Stalled Antetokounmpo Talks: While Antetokounmpo has reportedly stated his desire to be traded to Miami, the Bucks are currently holding out for a better return package, as they remain unimpressed by the Heat’s initial trade offers.
Complex Financial Targets: Miami’s backup options carry massive financial commitments for next season, led by Leonard at $50.3 million on an expiring contract, Young at $48.9 million via a player option with the Washington Wizards and Morant—who is widely expected to be moved by Memphis—at $42.2 million.

The Miami Heat could pursue trades for Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, Washington Wizards guard Trae Young and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant if they fail to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Antetokounmpo wants to be traded to the Heat, but the Bucks aren’t impressed by Miami’s offer yet.

“I’ve been told by various sources that — in addition to the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Memphis’ Ja Morant — Wizards point guard Trae Young has emerged as another ‘big fish’ backup option for the Miami Heat in the event that Boston, Portland or some other team manages to outbid Pat Riley and Co. in the trade chase for Antetokounmpo,” Fischer wrote.

Leonard will make $50.3 million next season in the final year of his contract, Young will make $48.9 million if he picks up his player option and Morant will make $42.2 million.

The Grizzlies are expected to trade Morant this offseason, while the futures of Leonard and Young are up in the air.

The Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks this season and can sign the All-Star to an extension this offseason. Washington has the first pick in this year’s draft.

Meanwhile, it’s unknown what the Clippers will do with Leonard. LAC has the fifth overall pick in the 2026 draft and Leonard is better suited to play for a playoff team at this stage of his career. However, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is hesitant to trade Leonard.

Miami’s offer to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo is built around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft. The Bucks are expected to trade Antetokounmpo before the 2026 draft, which begins on June 23.

Sources have told Dallas Hoops Journal that Antetokounmpo wants to play for an East Coast team because the East Coast is close to Greece. Antetokounmpo’s wife and children don’t live with him in America during the NBA season. They reside in Greece.

Miami, Orlando and Boston are on the East Coast. The Boston Celtics are pursuing Antetokounmpo. So are the Orlando Magic.

Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.

The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in 2023. The star forward doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, but since he has a player option for the 2027-28 season, Antetokounmpo has some level of control over where he gets traded.