Heat Eye Kyle Kuzma Trade to Bolster Playoff Push with Jimmy Butler

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Heat are reportedly considering a trade for Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma as they aim to make a final postseason push with veteran star Jimmy Butler. With the NBA trade deadline looming on Feb. 6, the Heat could pivot to win-now moves instead of entering a retooling phase.

Butler, a six-time All-Star, has expressed his commitment to the Heat, which could encourage team president Pat Riley to pursue a deal for Kuzma. The 29-year-old forward, who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, is seen as a versatile addition to Miami’s roster. A proposed trade, reported by Bleacher Report, would send Kuzma and a 2027 second-round pick to the Heat in exchange for Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jović, and Josh Richardson.

If the trade goes through, the Heat could deploy a starting lineup featuring Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Butler, Kuzma, and Bam Adebayo. While this group may not match the star power of Eastern Conference rivals like the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat have proven their ability to compete at the highest level, reaching the NBA Finals twice since 2020 with similarly skilled rosters.

Kuzma’s recent performance has been inconsistent, but his past production—averaging 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over the last two seasons—makes him an attractive target for Miami. His championship experience and versatility could help fill gaps in the Heat’s lineup, particularly in isolation scoring and secondary creation. “There is absolutely a universe in which the addition of Kuzma and whatever Miami manages to bring back for Butler puts this club in better position to compete right now,” wrote Bleacher Report.

The Wizards, meanwhile, are in full rebuild mode following the departure of Bradley Beal. Acquiring Jović, a 21-year-old with high offensive potential, would align with their long-term strategy. “He has been a solid support piece in South Beach since joining the rotation in last season’s second half, but there are hints of high-end abilities on the offensive end,” the report noted.

For Miami, the success of this season hinges on Butler’s dedication to bringing a championship to South Beach. With Kuzma potentially in the mix, the Heat could make another deep playoff run, continuing their tradition of maximizing competitiveness under Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra.