Miami Heat Rumors: Trade for Kyle Lowry may be explored, Jimmy Butler could demand to leave and more

Following years of decline and the retirement of Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat entered the summer facing an inevitable rebuild. Nevertheless, the organization managed to pull off an unlikely sign-and-trade to acquire four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and now enter the new season with the hopes of contending in the East.

Buoyed by a promising off-season, Pat Riley has also made no secret of his plans to sign a second star, and plenty could happen in the months ahead. So, with the 2019-20 NBA season quickly approaching, here are all the latest Heat rumors you need to know.

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#1 Kyle Lowry could emerge as a target if Toronto hit rebuild mode

Kyle Lowry continues to be linked with a trade despite signing a new contract with the Raptors

Kyle Lowry was instrumental as the Toronto Raptors overcame the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, and Lowry's stock is perhaps at an all-time high despite turning 33 earlier this year. The Philadelphia native penned a new one-year contract with the Raptors last week, although, it has been suggested that the point guard could still leave if Toronto begin the new campaign slowly.

And, during a recent edition of Woj & Lowe, ESPN's Zach Lowe suggested that the Heat will be among the teams interested in pursuing a trade:

Toronto could get off to a shaky start and decide to bail out of the season and make Kyle Lowry available... I think the Raptors could actually generate something of a bidding war. If I'm Miami, Detroit... that's the guy that I would look at.

While Lowry would be a fine addition to the Miami backcourt, he is owed $64 million over the next two seasons, and the Heat would have to clear the decks to complete a move.

#2 Jimmy Butler could leave if the Heat fail to meet expectations

Jimmy Butler enters the season with little help on the Heat roster

Jimmy Butler's personal drive and desire to win is well documented, and the All-Star famously pushed through a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves last season after growing frustrated with the lack of effort and commitment from his teammates.

While Butler has been full of praise for the Heat organization since his summer move, David Ramil of Forbes believes that the 30-year-old could request a trade if the season doesn't work out as planned:

Winslow and Adebyo stall in their growth while Waiters or James Johnson provide locker-room drama and Butler lashes out at his underperforming teammates while sinking out of the playoff race... and Butler eventually demands a trade.

Upon signing for the Heat, Butler was reportedly guaranteed that a second star would follow him to Miami. Nevertheless, a move for Russell Westbrook didn't materialize, and it remains to be seen if Riley can lure a significant name such as Bradley Beal to Miami.

#3 Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are currently considered untouchable

Tyler Herro has impressed during preseason

The Miami Heat roster has been among the oldest in the NBA in recent seasons, although the team currently has some promising talent emerging. Among them are Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, and an unnamed general manager told Sean Deveney of Heavy that the Heat won't consider trading either player in the coming months:

They’ve been firm on him and (Bam) Adebayo being untouchable. Maybe they would move off of that as the season goes on, but as it stands, they think they’ve got the second coming of Klay Thompson offensively. They’ve got two now, they don’t want to let them go.

The Heat drafted Herro with their 13th pick in this year's draft, and the 19-year-old has been among the NBA's most impressive players during preseason. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo was drafted 14th overall back in 2017, and last season averaged 8.9 points and 7.3 assists per game.