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What does Russell Westbrook’s extension mean for the Miami Heat?

By Wes Goldberg

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

With Russell Westbrook off the table for 2017, where do the Miami Heat turn to land its super star?

After missing out on Kevin Durant this summer, it looks like Pat Riley and the Miami Heat will miss out on the other Thunder Whale™ next summer. The Vertical‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Wednesday night that Russell Westbrook will sign a new three-year, $85 million deal to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, effectively taking him off the market next summer.

And so the dream of Westbrook in a Heat uniform is dead. Westbrook is one of only a handful of true superstars in the NBA. Ever since LeBron James left in 2014, Riley has been chasing his next championship-tilting difference maker.

Riley has again loaded up on several one-year contracts with the intention of maintaining roster and cap flexibility in order to be a major player next off-season. As it stands, the Heat should be able to create enough cap space to sign a max-level player (especially if, god forbid, Chris Bosh must retire due to medical reasons).

Now it’s back to the drawing board for Riley and the Heat, who will again be in position next summer to get in the rooms of several big name free agents. So let’s take a look at who is left.

Next: Steph Curry

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