A popular Miami Heat custom is to pursue big-time NBA stars in the summers. In the upcoming weeks, this custom is probably going to pick back up as Pat Riley and Miami’s front office look for ways to bolster the Heat’s squad. There may be a lot of player movement in the NBA during this off-season. There are already a few superstars on the trade block. There are also some notable names in the free agency pool that Miami might find appealing.
It is impossible to trade for a superstar or even a dependable All-Star without the Heat being prepared to part with a few important players of their own. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, the Miami draft picks, are usually the topic of any possible trade discussions at the moment. There are also rumors circulating about Jimmy Butler. Riley, though, has so far maintained that he does not want to trade Butler.
Several well-known players are on the list of players with player options and unrestricted free agents. Following Miami Heat tradition, here are two less discussed possibilities the Heat may choose to explore.
DeMar DeRozan
The six-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan, still has a lot of talent left in him. He is among the league’s top mid-range shooters. This previous season, he scored 24.0 points on average while shooting 48% from the field. He is a reliable shooter from any spot between the paint and the three-point line.
Miami’s offense would be greatly enhanced by adding DeRozan. It’s clear that neither he nor the Chicago Bulls organization had the expectations fulfilled during his time there. He was signed by Chicago to play with Zach LaVine, a previous all-star. But DeRozan never lost his knack for scoring goals. Alongside Butler and Bam Adebayo, his ability to generate his own shot and possess a strong mid-range game might be quite valuable. The fact that Butler and DeRozan are both excellent drivers to the hoop, meanwhile, may be a drawback in this combination. This component might cause problems with spacing. However, the Heat might place a higher value on the scoring threat, attempt to sign DeRozan, and find a way to make it work.
Westbrook Russell
The two-time NBA scoring champion Russell Westbrook is far from the nightly triple-double machine that he used to terrorize opponents when playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His tenure donning the Los Angeles Lakers outfit was brief. Like a Clipper? Westbrook has had a productive and beneficial impact on the club with his play.
At the moment, Westbrook has a player option worth $4 million. In the event that he declines and looks elsewhere, the Miami Heat will customarily imitate Westbrook’s moves and create their own. In addition, Westbrook’s demeanor and style of play would fit right in with the Heat’s traditions. Yes, in recent years his offensive prowess has diminished. But he plays hard and aggressive defense and would be a solid backup to Terry Rozier, the starting guard for the Miami Heat right now. Lawrence Frank, the president of the Los Angeles Clippers, has expressed interest in keeping Westbrook. In the event that it doesn’t, Pat Riley ought to seize the MVP of 2016–17 without delay.
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