The Miami Heat are a contender in the East, although they are not expected to make the NBA Finals quite yet. They have a solid team built on hard work and dedication, along with a commitment to defense which is a great start. They also have two All-Stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo and excellent coaching staff.
Jimmy Butler made it known that he expects at least one other All-Star to join him and Bam in Miami, and take the team to the next level. This certainly makes sense because Miami has always been an attractive spot for players and they are dedicated to winning.
Here are the most Realistic and Unrealistic Free Agents for the Miami Heat this summer.
Unrealistic Free Agents
4. DeMar DeRozan (2020)
22.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
DeMar DeRozan is one of the best wingmen in the NBA, and he just missed the playoffs with the San Antonio Spurs this season. The franchise looks to be rebuilding and he might not want to sit and be on board for that, especially with Greg Popovich looking ever close to retirement.
But that doesn’t mean DeRozan would join a team like the Heat in a heartbeat. He wants a long-term contract this season, to solidify his future and make as much money as possible. Miami would have to offer him a maximum contract to convince him to join, and that means paying for an old-school scorer who relies on two-point shots. The Miami Heat want to save money for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who very well might be available, so this one is a no-go.
3. Paul George (2021)
21.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He finished top three in MVP voting last year and can really do it all without any weakness in his game. Paul George in a team like the Miami Heat would place them at the top of the East as the favorites alongside Milwaukee who have Giannis Antetokounmpo. George and Butler would be a dynamic duo, especially with Bam Adebayo inside.
But Paul George will not leave Los Angeles, and finally looks happy where he is. PG made it clear he wanted to go to Los Angeles years ago, before re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Once he got his wish and finally landed in Los Angeles, it is almost certain he won’t be leaving.
2. Anthony Davis (2020)
26.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG
Anthony Davis was finally traded out of New Orleans after he made a big fuss about not wanting to play there anymore. Davis could not have found a more suitable home no Los Angeles Lakers, who have a hungry LeBron James and a championship culture intact. The chance that AD leaves, for any other city or any other franchise, is slim to none.
Unless the Lakers falter in this postseason and don’t win an NBA title, Davis might consider other options especially if LeBron starts looking old. Miami could be a nice fit, but he is still a very unlikely target for the Heat.
1. Chris Paul (2021)
17.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Chris Paul to Miami makes a ton of sense because he is a baller at the point guard position and one of the best leaders in NBA history. CP3 is having an amazing season and should finish in top-five MVP voting this season, after leading the OKC Thunder to the 5th seed in a tough Western Conference. CP3 deserves a team like the Heat, although he is very unrealistic for one reason.
Paul needs to reject his $44 million player option, something any sane human being would never do. Even if Paul has made enough money over his career, leaving that amount of money on the table is something that people don’t do. Unless Paul is dying to live in South Beach, this isn’t happening.
Realistic Free Agents
3. Rudy Gobert (2021)
15.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.2 BPG
Rudy Gobert is an excellent post defender and shot blocker with extremely long arms. He takes pride in playing defense and looks to have the dog in him to want to win games. That makes him a perfect fit for the Heat and Jimmy Butler.
Gobert and Adebayo would be a scary pairing in the post, and it does not seem possible that anybody can score inside. Gobert would take Miami’s defense and improve it ten-fold because he is that lethal at defending the rim. A lineup with the likes of Jimmy Butler, Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder, Bam Adebayo, and Rudy Gobert would stifle the opposition and make them a top contender in the East. If the rumors about Gobert and Mitchell’s relationship is true, Gobert is a very realistic target.
2. Victor Oladipo (2021)
14.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG
We have already heard the rumors that Oladipo wants to play in Miami. In fact, many in the media already believe it. Oladipo is slowly getting back to All-Star form after his injury and is one of the best two-way guards when healthy. An All-Star caliber player like him would excel in Miami’s system because he can defend the ball and also score off the pick n roll.
Oladipo would help Miami on offense and defense, as he would be the second scoring option and an excellent on-ball defender. There isn’t smoke without fire, and Oladipo rumors to Miami are swirling for a reason. Jimmy Butler wants him, Miami wants him, and Victor probably wants to go as well.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021)
29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Potential two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a very realistic target for the Miami Heat. He has led the Bucks to the best record in the league for two straight seasons and has been the best regular-season performer in the league for that long as well. Giannis is simply a freak of nature, and he can make any team a contender anywhere he goes.
If Giannis loses in the playoffs this year, he might want out. Playing for the Heat would be very fun because he would be in a nice spotlight and has a better supporting cast with Butler and Adebayo. Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear he wants to win to start solidifying himself as one of the greatest players of all time, and playing for the Heat might be the best move for him.
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