- The Shaquille O’Neal trade is the biggest in Miami Heat history.
- LeBron James and Chris Bosh were acquired via sign-and-trade.
- Miami has made some huge trades.
The biggest trades in Miami Heat history have had an immediate impact on NBA championship odds.
Miami has acquired numerous Hall of Famers via trade, whether being active at the deadline or working out sign-and-trades in the offseason.
Seven Biggest Trades in Miami Heat History
1. Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, a First-Round Pick, and a Second-Round Pick For Shaquille O’Neal
The Heat gave up three players and one first-round pick for Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq was a three-time NBA champion and 11-time All-Star at the time of the trade and had been named to First Team All-NBA in five consecutive seasons.
O’Neal’s relationship with Kobe Bryant was at breaking point. Miami took advantage, getting two more First Team All-NBA seasons and a title out of O’Neal’s three full seasons before trading him to the Phoenix Suns.
2. Jimmy Butler For Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker, and a First-Round Pick
Miami’s reluctance to give Jimmy Butler his desired contract extension led to a bitter first half of the 2024-25 regular season. Butler made it clear he wanted out, with his behaviour leading to a pair of suspensions from the team.
Despite Butler’s efforts to end up in Phoenix, he was eventually shipped to the Golden State Warriors in a multi-team deal. This marked the end of an era in Miami after Butler had led the Heat to a pair of finals appearances.
3. Glen Rice, Khalid Reeves, Matt Geiger, and a First-Round Pick For Alonzo Mourning, LeRon Ellis, and Pete Myers
Alonzo Mourning was a five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year for the Heat. Mourning is a franchise icon, synonymous with “Heat Culture.”
The Charlotte Hornets got some decent production out of Glen Rice, but this trade was a massive win for the Heat. Mourning only missed the playoffs twice across 11 seasons with the Heat.
4. Two First-Round Picks and Two Second-Round Picks For LeBron James
Acquiring LeBron James ensured the Heat were going to be among the title favourites in basketball odds for the first few years of the 2010s.
This is the most impactful trade in Heat history. I ranked it fourth because it was a sign-and-trade, making it a different negotiating process.
LeBron won two MVPs and two titles in his four seasons in Miami. It is some of the greatest individual basketball ever played.
5. Two First-Round Picks For Chris Bosh
The Heatles wasn’t just about LeBron swapping his hometown for South Beach. Chris Bosh also arrived in Miami to create the ultimate big three with LeBron and Dwyane Wade.
Bosh was an All-Star in all six of his seasons in Miami. He made the biggest sacrifice of the trio, adapting to a lesser offensive role and spacing the floor for James and Wade. Bosh’s usage rate dropped by 5.2 points in his first season as a member of the Heat, and he had to transform into a 3-point shooter.
6. Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis For Tim Hardaway and Chris Gatling
Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis was a cheap price to pay for Tim Hardaway. A two-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection during his time with the Heat, Hardaway’s handle and playmaking made him an immediate fan favourite in Miami.
Playing 367 regular season games for the franchise and starring in a run to the conference finals, Hardaway’s No. 10 was retired in 2009.
7. Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton, Danny Granger, Shawne Williams, and Two First-Round Picks For Goran Dragić and Zoran Dragić
With LeBron leaving after the 2014 finals, the Heat were facing a period of transition in 2014-15. In February of that season, Miami swung a trade for 2013-14 Most Improved Player, Goran Dragić.
Dragić became an integral member of the Heat and was the team’s top scorer during their Finals run in the bubble.