The Heat made the Nets an offer for Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline before he joined the Mavericks, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
The Feb. 9 deadline push for Irving aligns with Miami’s plan heading into the offseason. Recovering from its NBA Finals loss to the Nuggets, Miami will look to sign a big star to bolster its roster. Charania notes that Heat brass could look into adding a missing piece to a team led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo—and Irving could be something they “circle back on.”
“They’re going to explore seeing what the star market is out there … They made an offer to the Nets for Kyrie Irving at the deadline from what I’m told right before he got traded to the Mavericks,” Charania said on FanDuel on Tuesday. “That just gives you an idea, I think there’s been some level of understanding that trying to get Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo just another piece that can take the load off, especially during the regular season, could be of importance.
“And the question is: Where do they go from here? Do they circle back on Kyrie Irving? … This Heat team, they made a great run this postseason, they do feel like they might be one piece away with whatever star that could be at the guard position.”
“They’re going to explore seeing what the star market is out there… Do they circle back on Kyrie Irving?” 🍿@ShamsCharania on #Heat looking to get another star piece. #HEATCulture #RunItBack with @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons & @bansky pic.twitter.com/tFj0SBmSUr
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) June 13, 2023
The Heat weren’t previously listed as one of the top suitors for Irving in February. With Irving set to hit free agency, there will be a lot of eyes on Irving’s landing spot as well as the marquee name that lands in South Beach.
Free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
