The Miami Heat were one of the final contenders for LeBron James this summer, and he would have provided a major boost for them on the wing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins. But after he chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers instead, Miami will have to look elsewhere to fill out their supporting cast.
Fortunately, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Heat aren’t improvising after losing the LeBron sweepstakes. They have since pivoted to their new plan: to acquire an affordable veteran who can space the floor and juice the offense.
“They had a very compelling pitch with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, but now they’ll shift their focus to players like DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal,” said Shams. “Could you find a player like Klay Thompson on the buyout market? Those are the big-name players expecting new homes here.”
The Heat finished 10th in the East last season, going 43-39 in an up-and-down performance. They couldn’t make it out of the play-in, making it abundantly clear that change was needed to become a contender. LeBron’s arrival might have taken them over the top, but they aren’t going to waste time mourning their failed pursuit.
As it stands, there are still plenty of capable players available on the market, and the Heat are looking at several names in particular to beef up the rotation. Klay Thompson, for example, is arguably one of the most well-known veterans around right now, and he fits the kind of player they are looking for as a legendary three-point shooter with career averages of 18.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 44.8% shooting and 40.9% shooting from three. He’s not yet available as he works out a buyout agreement, but he’s someone who demands attention on the perimeter, which would open up the floor for guys like Giannis and Bam.
Bradley Beal is another interesting choice for the Heat. Even before the LeBron pursuit, they were expressing interest in a deal, and it makes a lot of sense why. Despite his poor attendance record over the years (and his decline in production), Beal is known for his shooting ability, and it wasn’t long ago that he was averaging over 30 points per game. In an environment like Miami, under the direction of Erik Spoelstra, Beal could return to his All-Star form, adding another lethal shooter to an already stacked roster. For his career, Beal averages 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 0.5 steals per game on 37.5% shooting and 36.8% shooting from three.
Finally, there’s DeMar DeRozan. As more of a mid-range scorer and interior operator, he’s arguably the most awkward fit for Miami. His play style would seemingly clash with Giannis and Bam, who play from the inside out. Still, he’s one of the best players available right now and more than worth a spot for the veteran minimum. At 36, his decline is approaching, but he showed he could still deliver when needed last season, with averages of 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 49.7% shooting from the field.
Only time will tell how things play out for the Heat this summer, but LeBron’s decision isn’t a major loss. In fact, compared to last year’s roster, they are in a much better place to compete for a title. Adding the right players will only raise their ceiling as a group, but the hard work has only just begun.
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