Zach LaVine to Miami Is a Possibility, Says Insider Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Contract Situation

When the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo, they sent Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and a pile of picks to Milwaukee. That price bought a superstar, and it also removed several of Miami's scorers.

Now, with the Heat at 5-6 and Giannis' extension on the horizon, an insider is pointing to the Kings' Zach LaVine as a name to watch.

"I think they are looking at him, honestly," Ethan Skolnick said of Miami. "I would watch the LaVine situation going forward. He's not Kyrie, but he'd give them another creator in the backcourt."

Skolnick's comment is not a report that a deal is close. It described interest, and the Heat have been linked with LaVine for months. Miami has been searching for another proven scorer around Giannis, Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins.

Herro was the Heat’s main perimeter playmaker before the trade, and Norman Powell left in the same offseason shake-up. That leaves Miami heavily dependent on Giannis’ downhill game, with a roster that has struggled to space the floor around him. LaVine, a 31-year-old two-time All-Star, is a very different kind of scorer who can get his own shot off the dribble.

His contract is the obstacle. LaVine opted into a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, the final year of his five-year extension, so he is owed that amount this season. For the Heat to acquire him, they would need to send out similar salary, and one fan-site proposal suggested Wiggins and Nikola Jovic.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Contract Makes the LaVine Question Urgent

The timing connects directly to Giannis. He is under contract through this season at $58.5 million and has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, he becomes eligible on Jan. 6 to sign a four-year, $275 million extension if he opts out, or a three-year, $214 million extension if he opts in. He is reportedly expected to sign when eligible.

The Heat traded for a star who could leave in 2027, and the best way to keep him is to show that the franchise can build a contender around him. Early results have not helped. Miami’s start has included a defense that has slipped and an offense that relies heavily on its star, and Doc Rivers’ recent comments calling him difficult to coach and questioning his basketball IQ have added another distraction.

A creator like LaVine would address part of that. Miami would benefit from a veteran scorer who can play off Giannis, and he would be surrounded by defenders in Adebayo, Davion Mitchell and Bobby Portis if he joined.

LaVine is not known for defense, but his ability to score would take pressure off the team's star.

The problem is that Sacramento does not seem eager to help. In the offseason, it was reported that the Kings were not planning to buy him out and expected him to stay for 2026-27.

For now, the situation is simple. Skolnick says the Heat are interested, the Kings reportedly plan to keep him, and Giannis’ extension window opens in less than two months. If Miami wants to make a move before Jan. 6 to show its commitment, LaVine is one of the few available scorers who fits the need.