NBA Trade Rumors: 3 'Big Fish' Backups Heat Will Target If They Miss on Giannis

The Miami Heat might be Giannis Antetokounmpo's top desired landing spot, but Miami is in a... heated battle with the Boston Celtics to try to land the two-time MVP and one-time Finals MVP.

If the Heat fall short, we're being told by insider Jake Fischer that they have three "big fish" backup targets to go after as a consolation.

Trae Young is reportedly a backup option for the Miami Heat if they miss out on Giannis Antetokounmpo, per @JakeLFischer

“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… pic.twitter.com/7FilUSvCUr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2026

Kawhi Leonard
Ja Morant
Trae Young

Certainly, any of those three would be marquee additions for Miami in the event they can't land the Greek Freak.

“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," says Fischer.

Trae, Kawhi & Ja are all on the table for the Heat this summer

Each carries their own unique circumstance if the Heat were to pursue them.

For Kawhi, we're still awaiting word from the NBA on how the alleged cap circumvention punishment will go down. It could have a big impact on the Clips' needs going forward, and whether and for what they would trade Kawhi.

On the other hand, the voiding of Leonard's contract is also on the table, making him even more easily available.

Morant is almost certain to be dealt this summer, as his time with the Memphis Grizzlies is surely at an end. The team wants to move on from all of the off-court distractions that Morant brings, not to mention the injuries and suspensions which have kept him away from the team more often than not over the last few years.

But a fresh start with Miami could certainly rejuvenate the explosive and mercurial point guard.

For Young, he only played five games in Washington after being acquired by the Wizards, before being shut down again for the season. The big Trae Young/Anthony Davis experiment in DC could be over before it begins. There is plenty of buzz out there now about not only AD, but also Trae possibly moving on again this summer if he & the Wizards can't come to terms on an extension.

While the expectation remains that Trae Young will find a new, longer-term agreement with the Wizards, sources say several teams — including Miami — are considering trade avenues to add the four-time All-Star guard, while Washington mulls its decision regarding next week’s No. 1…
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 16, 2026