The Miami Heat have the foundation to become a factor in the NBA’s Eastern Conference next season.
Center Hassan Whiteside, small forward Justise Winslow and point guard Goran Dragic give Pat Riley quality starters around which to build. Coach Erik Spoelstra, recently named NBCA Coach of the Year, is capable of winning with and without superstars.
With Chris Bosh’s enormous salary virtually off the books and shooting guard Dion Waiters to opt out of his contract, the Heat have about $35-40 million in cap space next season, enough to sign one maximum contract player and possibly another quality contributor.
Here are ten potential targets for Riley to pursue:
10. J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick has been in the NBA since 2006, and has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league. He’s older than the current core of the Heat, but he would be a solid complement to fill the scoring void if Waiters departs. With a three-point rate of 42.9 percent last season, he would space the floor and open things up for Whiteside around the rim. His current team, the Los Angeles Clippers, has salary cap issues and may not be able to keep Redick next season. However, Redick is likely to want to join a team capable of winning now, such as replacing Kyle Korver with the Cleveland Cavaliers should he leave via free agency.
Next: Danilo Gallinari
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9. Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari can flat out score. If the Heat lose Waiters, they need to add scoring to the roster. Gallinari averaged over 18 points per game last season, and will only be 29 years old this upcoming season. The Denver Nuggets have the salary cap space to keep Gallinari, but even though Denver is a beautiful city, it doesn’t have the magnetic draw of Miami. The Italian would bring flair to South Beach, and would provide flexibility as he can play three different positions. Like Redick, Gallinari may want to go to a team that can win now.
Next: Paul Millsap
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8. Paul Millsap
Paul Millsap flies under the radar. Playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Millsap doesn’t get much national recognition. All he does is play, game in, game out. This past season, Millsap averaged over 18.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. A true power forward, he could provide an additional defensive presence. He’s older at 32, and the Hawks likely won’t let him leave without a fight, but Millsap is an interesting player to watch this offseason. As a bonus, the Heat would be weakening a division rival. Win-win. However, Atlanta has the cap space and is unlikely to let Millsap go without a fight.
Next: James Johnson
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7. James Johnson
Sometimes keeping your own players is a good idea, as Riley has stated himself. James Johnson is 30 years old, but he showed promise in several games last year. His best games came late in the season, scoring 26 against the Washington Wizards and 22 to go along with 10 rebounds against the Raptors. Johnson averaged around 14 points and five rebounds after the All-Star break last season and may be a placeholder for a draft pick like T.J. Leaf from the UCLA Bruins, but his fit on this team makes him a valuable free agent for the Heat.
Next: Dion Waiters
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6. Dion Waiters
Another potential free agent, the Heat would be wise to retain Waiters, too. He is only 25 years old, and in his first season with the Heat scored an average of 15.8 points per game. There aren’t many quality shooting guards available this offseason, so the competition for Waiters could price him out of the Heat’s plans. But it seemed like, especially in the second half of the season when the Heat went 30-11, that Waiters fit in well with the current Big 3 of Whiteside, Winslow and Dragic. This situation will likely come down to which team will overpay for Waiters.
Next: Blake Griffin
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5. Blake Griffin
The Clippers, as mentioned earlier, have salary-cap problems next season. Blake Griffin can opt out of his contract and become a free agent as well. Combine that with the Clippers’ ability to play well at times without Griffin, and you have a player who could be on the move. Only 28 years old, averaging over 21.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for his career, Griffin would be a nice offensive addition next to Whiteside’s defensive presence. Griffin does have injury issues, as he has missed a significant number of games the past few seasons. However, he will likely seek a high-profile team, so it is likely the Heat have a real opportunity to get him, competing with teams like the New York Knicks for his services.
Next: Chris Paul
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4. Chris Paul
It will likely never happen. But imagine. 18.7 points per game, 9.9 assists and just 2.4 turnovers for his career, while handling the ball. The Clippers will likely do everything in their power to retain Paul, but Riley has to at least kick the tires here. Paul is a generational talent, and even though he is 32 years old, shows no signs of slowing down. He played 61 games, averaging 31.5 minutes last season. It is possible that Paul is tired of playing for the Clippers. Here’s hoping Riley secretly will chase a “whale” in free agency.
Next: Gordon Hayward
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3. Gordon Hayward
Another player not as well-known due to where he plays, Hayward will be in demand this offseason. A frontcourt scorer, Hayward averaged 21.9 points per game last season. He would space out the floor for Whiteside, and both players could easily average at least 20 points per game next year.
At 27 years old, Hayward, Whiteside, also 27, and Winslow, 21, could be together for six or seven seasons. Riley will have to fight the Boston Celtics for Hayward, but keeping him from a top team in the conference may be as important as adding him to the Heat roster. It seems likely from all the chatter that Hayward will be leaving the Utah Jazz over the summer.
Next: Serge Ibaka
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2. Serge Ibaka
Of all the free agents available, Serge Ibaka may be the best fit for the Heat of the players who will actually change teams. Turning 28 this upcoming season, Ibaka is young enough to pair with Whiteside for several seasons. He shoots threes at over 39 percent, so he can stretch the floor.
He’s also a solid defender, rebounds 7.3 per game for his career and scored an average of 14.2 points per game last season. He would step right in at the power forward slot and create frontcourt matchup problems for most of the conference. The Toronto Raptors may only have enough cap space to sign either Ibaka or Kyle Lowry. It will be interesting to see which player they focus on.
Next: Kevin Durant
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1. Kevin Durant
Seeing as how Durant just won the 2017 NBA title with the Golden State Warriors, he’s not likely to opt out of his contract for the upcoming season. However, given that he just left the Oklahoma City Thunder, and with Riley at the helm, literally anything is possible. Unfortunately for any potential suitor, Golden State has the cap room to sign both Durant and Curry. This is where Riley really needs to work his magic. Anyone can get a free agent to at least visit Miami: great weather, solid fan base, excellent coach and great nightlife. Let the free-agent hunting begin.
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