MIAMI -- The Denver Nuggets agreed Friday to a strategic draft-pick trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a reminder that even during the NBA Finals the business of planning for the future doesn't stop.
The Miami Heat might need to call the Thunder soon, too, to execute a little strategic move themselves. Because it could be time for team president Pat Riley to resume one of his favorite games: star hunting.
It's been a spectacular two months for the Heat. While there is disappointment at their 3-1 deficit to the Nuggets after Denver took control of the series with Friday's 108-95 Game 4 win, there is zero shame. However, there is clarity.
The Heat play for championships and this team, though valiant, likely isn't quite good enough to win this Finals. As this series has shown through three double-digit losses to Denver, the Heat need more firepower in their corner, particularly on the offensive end.
There was a path for the Heat to steal another game Friday and scratch out a miraculous 2-2 tie. Down five points with eight minutes left on their home floor with Nikola Jokic on the bench and in foul trouble, they had a beautiful opportunity. The eighth-seeded team that had to claw its way out of the play-in tournament has won numerous games in similar situations repeatedly during these playoffs.
But unlike the other opponents the Heat have upset this spring, the Nuggets are deep, healthy and a killer clutch-time team. And Denver handled its business to reach the brink of ending Miami's historic run.
The Heat, even with all their overachievement and joy, have a 33-year-old star in the back stages of his prime, Jimmy Butler, and a 25-year-old currently in his prime, Bam Adebayo.
Riley, 78, believes in relentlessly pushing for rings. And there are new rules coming, specifically in 2024, that will make big trades harder to execute with the current contracts the Heat have on their roster, including the $120 million extension for guard Tyler Herro that will officially enter the books next month.
So there is a strong case that the time for the Heat's next major transaction is now, when Butler and Adebayo are still in a title window and new restrictions for big spenders aren't yet fully deployed.
Making such a move might also prove smart, as the Heat bask in the glow of a postseason that served as one big advertisement to interested players about "Heat Culture," to try to attract a star player or two who have been watching them play with interest.
The Nuggets moved draft picks in the deal with the Thunder, which was necessary because OKC owed a protected Nuggets 2027 first-rounder that limited what Denver could trade. The Thunder are basically a clearinghouse because numerous teams owe them draft picks. Ready to win its first title, Denver swapped a 2029 first-rounder for additional picks this year and next year as the Nuggets react to what they see as the opening of a window and the need to grab young and cheap talent to balance their roster with high-paid stars.
The Heat owe their 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City and, because of the protections on it, they are limited as to what draft picks they can trade at the moment. But, if the Heat so choose, they can make a side deal with the Thunder on the 2025 pick and make it possible they can open up the ability to trade up to three first-rounders by this year's draft on June 22 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Even if they don't feel the need to make a Thunder deal, the Heat can still open pathways to trade multiple draft picks. Combined with some of the contracts they have, notably Herro and the resurgent Duncan Robinson, they have a chance to load up to take some swings in the coming days.
A possible Finals loss will sting for some time, but Riley and Heat general manager Andy Elisburg always think long term and always think big. Even as coach Erik Spoelstra squeezed every drop of potential out of the current roster, the Miami front office has been developing a plan for a new one with multiple iterations.
It's awkward and unusual to discuss team-altering trades in the middle of a championship run. It's also tempting to jump to premature conclusions about what names the Heat might go for or which player(s) might try to get themselves to Miami.
But this scenario is live just below the surface and the league is very much aware. As one great Heat drama draws to a close, another might be dawning.