On paper, the Miami Heat have everything they need to contend for a title next season. The combined talents of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro helped give Miami an edge in the East, which they used to make the Eastern Conference Finals this postseason.
They ended up losing the series to Boston, but the franchise has plans to get better — if not by the addition of Kevin Durant, then in other ways.
According to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, free-agent guard Dennis Schroder is a target for Pat Riley’s team if they strike out on other top-tier names.
Of the teams with at least the taxpayer mid-level exception left, Miami makes the most sense for Schroder. Kyle Lowry had a rocky first season with the Heat, as the 36-year-old missed 19 games and averaged his lowest scoring output since the 2012-13 season (13.4 points per game). While third-year guard Gabe Vincent did an admirable job filling in, Miami could use another veteran ball-handler as insurance for Lowry and to help keep him fresh for the playoffs.
He’d be a backup to Lowry here but could still receive good minutes for a team that just made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Look for Schroder to sign a one-year deal at the taxpayer mid-level of $6.5 million in Miami to help keep Lowry fresh.
Bleacher Report predicts Dennis Schroder signing with the Miami Heat in free agency
“Look for Schroder to sign a one-year deal at the taxpayer mid-level of $6.5 million in Miami to help keep Lowry fresh.” pic.twitter.com/3aiq3KLMBr
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) July 4, 2022
Schroder is no superstar, and he comes with a lot of baggage, but there is no denying what he brings to the court. As an elite ball handler and gifted scorer, he can provide a huge spark for the Heat off the bench, especially as a backup for 36-year-old Kyle Lowry.
Obviously, Miami is after bigger fish. With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and maybe even Donovan Mitchell on the trade market, Pat Riley will be focused on those players before he worries about Schroder.
Still, the German-born point guard would be a positive addition to the Heat, who continues to make moves in the right direction.
