Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Miami Heat are among the teams that are looking to preserve cap space for the 2027 offseason. And as many know, they owe the Charlotte Hornets a lottery-protected first-round pick that summer. So, if the Heat's plans don't go awry, the Hornets could end up with a late first-rounder in either 2027 or 2028.
Fischer's report came on the heels of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chaos, which the Hornets should look to throw themselves into, even though they have snowball's chance in hell of landing the disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks superstar. According to the renowned insider, Miami's stance of waiting to pry Antetokounmpo away from his current team in 2027, when he could decline his player option, could change due to the recent development.
But as Fischer noted, Antetokounmpo is hardly the only big-ticket free agent who could be available during the 2027 offseason. Other names that could join him on the list include Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Donovan Mitchell.
Looks like Miami will convey a non-lottery pick
So, if the Heat play their cards right, they could become an instant legitimate title contender in the 2027-28 campaign. Unfortunately, that could mean that they will be sending Charlotte a late first-round selection in 2028 — that is, if they don't ship a non-lottery pick in 2027.
Hornets fans who are wishing for the organization to be blessed with another high-value draft asset might have to prepare for a scenario in which no such fortune would come from their division rival. Of course, it's still possible for the Heat to crash out in 2028. It has been a while since we last saw a superstar take his talents to South Beach. And some of their risky roster moves, including the Terry Rozier deal in which the protected 2027 first-rounder switched hands, have not panned out well.
Still, regardless of where that pick ends up in the draft order in 2027 or 2028, Charlotte can likely make the most out of it. We only have to look at this year's draft as evidence.
The front office proved adept at identifying promising prospects late in the 2025 draft, scooping up NBA-ready rotation guys in Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second round. Its No. 29 pick, Liam McNeeley, has taken a longer time to come into his own but has at least displayed the potential to be an all-around sharpshooter.
As such, we can expect the Hornets to maximize the value of the draft capital the Heat owe them, although it wouldn't hurt to wish that it ends up in the lottery.