Heat predicted to sign $73M Future Hall of Famer to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat were fully committed to pursuing LeBron James in free agency. Team president Pat Riley even addressed the pursuit during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s introductory press conference, revealing that he had brief discussions with James about a potential return to Miami.
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However, things did not play out that way, as James ultimately signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. The decision reportedly caught the Heat by surprise.
“The Cavaliers and Heat were both blindsided by LeBron James choosing the Sixers. Both Cleveland and Miami felt they were the favorites to sign LeBron, even up to this morning. Now both teams must pivot to compete directly against LeBron next season,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
With James off the board, the Heat have shifted their focus to other wing options. One player who has remained on Miami’s radar since before James made his decision is DeMar DeRozan. The Heat appear to be in a strong position to land the future Hall of Famer.
“Miami Heat have been a Derozan landing spot for years now, there’s been so much connectivity between him and the Heat and I do think the Heat seem to be the most likely scenario for DeMar DeRozan right now…Miami is probably his best bet…those other spots really don’t have spending power,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer said.
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In fact, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes Miami is the favorite to sign DeRozan.
“DeRozan’s fit in Miami is strained. A prospective lineup of him, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell lacks high-volume three-point punch. But the Heat’s lack of perimeter initiators takes priority, and head coach Erik Spoelstra is creative enough to make the half-court offense work,” Favale wrote.
Adding DeRozan would likely move Andrew Wiggins to the shooting guard spot while allowing DeRozan to play his natural role on the wing. That lineup would also give Adebayo and Antetokounmpo more room to operate offensively.
DeRozan was previously on a $73 million contract before being waived by the Sacramento Kings. The Heat are looking to upgrade on the wing, and DeRozan would accomplish that while likely joining Miami on a much cheaper deal.
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