The 10 Greatest Trades In Miami Heat History

Heat Receive: LeBron James

Cavaliers Receive: 2011 Second-Round Draft Pick, 2012 Second-Round Draft Pick, 2013 First-Round Draft Pick, 2016 First-Round Draft Pick

Okay, I understand if you wish to put an asterisk next to this monumental deal in Miami Heat history due to the fact it was a sign-and-trade and LeBron James was able to choose his destination during 2010 free agency. However, the Cavaliers received four NBA Draft picks in return for James as compensation making it a trade regardless of your feelings about it.

This trade tops our list for obvious reasons as it brought James together with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach, making for one of the most electric times in NBA history and labeling LeBron as a villain for the first time in his career after he left behind his hometown team in Cleveland, sending them into a downward spiral until his return in 2014-15.

The results of this deal were incredible for Miami with James leading the way. The Heat would advance to four straight NBA Finals from 2011-2014, winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. James would capture two MVP awards in 2012 and 2013 as well as both Finals MVP awards in their two championship victories. In four years with the team, James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while solidifying his stance as the best player in the world.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Heat Receive: Shaquille O'Neal

Lakers Receive: Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, 2006 First-Round Draft Pick, 2007 Second-Round Draft Pick

After a very public feud with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and an embarrassing loss in the 2004 NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons, Shaquille O’Neal requested a trade from the team he delivered three championships to and spent eight seasons with from 1997-2004. Coach Stan Van Gundy and executive Ralph Pfund knew they had a special talent in Dwyane Wade who they drafted one season earlier and were desperate to add O’Neal in hopes of becoming a real contender.

Without any hesitation, the Heat made the deal, sending three above-average supporting role players and two draft picks to Los Angeles in exchange for O’Neal. The first two seasons went perfectly with O’Neal finishing as a runner-up for MVP in 2005 and aiding in the organization’s first championship alongside Wade in 2006 which was exactly what they brought him in to do.

While O’Neal’s time in Miami would only last four years and the core they gave up to Los Angeles would help them win two championships just a few seasons later, Miami makes out as a big winner as well, immediately delivering the NBA title the fans had been longing for since 1998-99.

3. Jimmy Butler

Heat Receive: Jimmy Butler, Meyers Leonard, Cash

Clippers Receive: Maurice Harkless, Mathias Lessort, 2023 First-Round Pick

76ers Receive: Josh Richardson

Trail Blazers Receive: Hassan Whiteside

When the Miami Heat decided to take a chance and acquire Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019, it was seen as a huge risk for the franchise. This was a player who had tough endings to his stints in Chicago, Minnesota, and Philadelphia feuding with coaches and management in very ugly exits at each stop. They also gave up two fan-favorites in Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside who were supposed to be a part of their future for years to come.

If there was any team who was going to get it right though, it was the Miami Heat. Butler immediately fit in with his new teammates and coaches, becoming an All-Star and leading Miami to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. Although the team fell to the Lakers, a culture was born that still thrives in today’s game as well.

In the five seasons since Butler has been in Miami, the Heat have been to three Conference Finals and two NBA Finals with Butler being the catalyst for their success. Perhaps the most underrated part of the deal is that Miami received the pick they gave to the Clippers back and drafted talented 2023-24 rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. This organization just does not miss.

4. Alonzo Mourning

Heat Receive: Alonzo Mourning, LeRon Ellis, Pete Myers

Hornets Receive: Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, Khalid Reeves, 1996 First-Round Draft Pick

In 1995, years before the Shaq deal made headlines in South Beach, the Miami Heat acquired another disgruntled big man who was feuding with teammates in Charlotte. Alonzo Mourning was already a star in the NBA, heading into his fourth season and coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances with the Hornets.

Mourning came in and became an icon for Miami, playing 11 seasons with the team and making them a perennial contender in a loaded Eastern Conference. In 11 seasons, Mourning would earn five All-Star selections as well as back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1999 and 2000. He averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in his Heat career, culminating in an NBA championship in 2006.

Had it not been for a diagnosis of kidney disease in 2002, we quite possibly could have seen Miami as NBA champions before their 2006 run and having completely different conversations about Mourning’s career as a whole.

5. Tim Hardaway

Heat Receive: Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling

Warriors Receive: Bimbo Coles, Kevin Willis

In 1996, the Miami Heat would once again fleece their counterparts on the trade market acquiring legendary ball-handler and overall magician at point guard Tim Hardaway from the Golden State Warriors. Coming off a severe knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 1993-94 season, Hardaway was seen as damaged goods by most across the NBA but once again, Miami saw things differently.

They acquired Hardaway by parting with veterans Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis. Immediately, Hardaway became a focal point of the Heat’s offense and a catalyst for their success. In five and a half seasons with the team, he averaged 17.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 41.0% shooting. Hardaway would go down as a franchise great as well, leading them to the playoffs all six seasons he was with the team including a trip to the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals.

Once again, the Heat came out looking smarter than everyone else in the room, a tale as old as the franchise itself.

6. Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey

Heat Receive: Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett, Roberto Duenas

Celtics Receive: Albert Miralles, Qyntel Woods, Curtis Borchardt, 2006 Second-Round Draft Pick, 2008 Second-Round Draft Pick

Jazz Receive: Greg Ostertag

Hornets Receive: Rasual Butler, Kirk Snyder

Grizzlies Receive: Eddie Jones, Raul Lopez

Already armed with the star duo of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal, the Miami Heat took part in a massive five-team trade in the Summer of 2005 that would put them over the top as Eastern Conference favorites for the 2005-06 season. In the deal, the Heat would acquire Celtics shot-chucker Antoine Walker as well as elite role players such as James Posey and Jason Williams from the Memphis Grizzlies as well as other complimentary pieces.

Little did the league know at the time but these moves would lead directly to an NBA championship right away for the Heat in 2006. Walker would be the most impactful piece in the deal, averaging 13.8 points per game in the 2006 Finals as Miami’s second-leading scorer. Williams was also stellar as the starting point guard on their playoff run while Posey provided elite defense and perimeter shooting.

This deal is not the sexiest deal Miami has ever made and although each of these players remained in town for just a short time, the impact they had on the franchise’s first championship run can never be understated or forgotten.

7. Jamal Mashburn

Heat Receive: Jamal Mashburn

Mavericks Receive: Kurt Thomas, Martin Muursepp, Sasha Danilovic

After just three and a half seasons with the Mavericks from 1994 through 1997, Mavericks forward Jamal Mashburn was once again seen as damaged goods following a knee injury that limited his time and production on the court. As has been the case since 1989, one team’s trash was Miami’s treasure.

Miami pounced on Mashburn’s availability, acquiring him for peanuts in the form of Kurt Thomas, Martin Muursepp, and Sasha Danilovic. With the Heat, Mashburn would revive his career in three and a half seasons with the team, averaging 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game in 180 games played on 43.6% shooting. While he was never an All-Star in South Beach, Mashburn was a huge part of their run to the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals and three other playoff appearances in four seasons.

8. Eddie Jones

Heat Receive: Eddie Jones, Ricky Davis, Dale Ellis, Anthony Mason

Hornets Receive: P.J Brown, Jamal Mashuburn, Rodney Buford, Tim James, Otis Thorpe

During the 2000 offseason, the Miami Heat had grown tired of falling short in the NBA playoffs, mostly at the hands of the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks. They decided to completely revamp their roster that summer by shipping out veterans like Jamal Mashburn and P.J. Brown in exchange for former All-Star and scoring machine, Eddie Jones.

Jones arrived in Miami with little expectations but quickly exceeded them, showing everyone he had more than just a little gas left in the tank. Even though his All-Star days were behind him, Jones played extremely well for Miami, averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 42.8% shooting from the field. He helped lead Miami to three playoff appearances including a trip to the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals.

9. Brian Grant

Heat Receive: Brian Grant

Cavaliers Receive: Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon, Gary Grant, 2001 First-Round Draft Pick

Trail Blazers Receive: Shawn Kemp

With injuries and unexpected diagnoses plaguing Alonzo Mourning during the early 2000s, the Miami Heat became desperate in their search for a big man to match his energy and production on the court. Willing to part with key members of their rotation, Miami went out and acquired Portland big man Brian Grant who was known for his hard-nosed style and rebounding skills which Miami lacked severely without Mourning.

Grant came in and did a tremendous job with Miami, playing four seasons with the team from 2001 through 2004. In those four seasons, Grant did a great job filling in for Mourning, averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 312 games played. In 2001, he averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game for the team, and in 2004, grabbed a career-high 10.2 rebounds per game. Finding someone like Grant during this time to fill seemingly unfillable shoes was pertinent to the success of the organization.

10. Jermaine O’Neal

Heat Receive: Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, 2010 Second-Round Draft Pick

Raptors Receive: Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks

Okay, this deal isn't exactly earth-shattering or holds any real significant place in Miami Heat history but at the time was as necessary as any other trade on this list. Jermaine O’Neal was wasting away what little he had left to give in Toronto with the Raptors while Shawn Marion was struggling to fit into Miami’s pace of play and schemes they set forth.

The deal was a match made in heaven for Miami who was able to get 97 games of decent production from O'Neal in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. O’Neal helped Miami reach the postseason twice with 13.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game on 51.3% shooting before walking away in free agency in 2010.