Miami’s approach to free agency will hinge heavily on which role players it chooses to keep.
If, for example, Love opts out and departs, New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein could become a prime target. While Hartenstein wouldn’t provide as much shooting behind Adebayo, he’d give the Heat a strong defensive option off the bench.
Hartenstein played on a modest $8.2 million salary this past season, though his expanded role in New York may have upped his price tag.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kyle Anderson could make sense as a defensive contributor. Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker could be an intriguing reclamation project if he’s willing to sign a minimum contract.
Unless Miami finds a way to get under the tax threshold, it will have to try attracting veteran talent on smaller deals. Of course, Miami’s status as a perennial playoff team could theoretically convince a top free agent like DeMar DeRozan to do a team-friendly deal. The Chicago Bulls will undoubtedly want to keep DeRozan, but his name was floated in connection with Miami before the trade deadline.
“He is as close to what they’re looking for as they’re going to find. Perfect fit, really,” an unnamed Eastern Conference executive told Heavy’s Sean Deveney in December.
Realistically, though, Miami’s biggest addition may come via the 2024 draft or via the trade market. The Heat don’t have a lot of space below the second apron, but they haven’t hit it yet.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
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