Heat predicted to flip $249M NBA champion for Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson in mega 3-team deal

The Miami Heat are the team to watch this summer for a variety of reasons. Their first major move was completing a blockbuster trade for former Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, immediately putting themselves into the championship conversation.

Miami has also been considered a potential landing spot for LeBron James since the beginning of free agency. Heat president Pat Riley recently revealed what the process of pursuing James has been like.

“To be transparent about it, we've had discussions over a week ago, maybe a week before that about it. But right now, I think we're like everybody else. Just waiting to see what he does,” Riley told the media.

However, James is not the only star the Heat are pursuing. Over the last week, Miami has gained significant momentum as a potential landing spot for four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson.

“Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days. The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.

The Heat would love to find a way to acquire Thompson, and one proposed deal from Heavy.com’s Sai Mohan would have Miami landing both Thompson and Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster three-team trade involving Andrew Wiggins.

“Heat would acquire: Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson. Magic would acquire: Andrew Wiggins. Mavericks would acquire: Desmond Bane, Nikola Jovic, Dru Smith,” Mohan wrote.

It would not be ideal for Miami to part ways with Wiggins, but the move could indicate that the Heat are confident in their ability to land James. If everything came together, Miami’s starting lineup would be absolutely lethal.

Wiggins has earned $249 million in contracts throughout his NBA career. The Heat have already had a massive summer, and adding moves like this could turn it into one of the most impressive offseasons in league history. Miami would immediately become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference by a wide margin.

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