The Miami Heat have been in NBA headlines every day due to Jimmy Butler rumors.

But what if Miami pulled off a shocking trade that didn't involve Butler, possibly even for another superstar?

It seems unlikely, but the Heat aren't that far removed from reaching the NBA Finals two seasons ago, and they might feel that going all-in with this core is the best path forward.

If that's the case, don't rule out Heat exec Pat Riley calling up the Charlotte Hornets in January, a notion introduced by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz this week.

"If the Heat keep Jimmy Butler (or maybe even if they don't), (LaMelo) Ball is an intriguing talent to go after," Swartz said on Monday.

"Adding in Ball's elite playmaking and scoring skills would help boost Miami's offense closer to that of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, the top-three in the NBA."

Would Ball fit into Heat culture? It's hard to imagine a pick-and-roll combo of Ball and Bam Adebayo being anything other than dangerous, with or without Butler in the equation for Miami.