Heat rumors: Miami interested in signing top international player Milos Teodosic

Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Serbia point guard Milos Teodosic (4) reacts during the game against United States in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Serbia point guard Milos Teodosic (4) reacts during the game against United States in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Milos Teodosic is considered among the best international players looking to make a jump to the NBA, and the Miami Heat are reportedly interested in signing him.

The Miami Heat are expected to pursue a number of top free agents, but they aren’t limiting their scope to those who played last season in the NBA. According to a report, the Heat are interested in Serbian point guard Milos Teodosic, widely considered the best international player not in the NBA.

Via the New York Post:

"The Nets long have been linked to Teodosic, as have the Kings and Nuggets. But Friday, Andrey Kartashov, the lead basketball writer for the Russian news agency TASS, reported Miami had joined the pursuit of the CSKA Moscow star who NBA general managers voted the best player outside the league. Kartashov didn’t mention the Nuggets, but the Heat are problem enough."

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Teodosic, 30, is widely considered the best passer in the world. He was the EuroLeague MVP in 2010, and has made the All-EuroLeague team six times. He’s finally giving real thought into jumping to the NBA. As he wrote on Eurohoop.net: 

"It’s true that I’m seriously thinking about the possibility of the NBA, but nothing has transpired yet, and nothing will until the summer. I’ve said before that, in order for me to go to the USA, a team has to meet both my competitive ambitions – which is the most important thing – and everything that has to do with the financial aspect as well as the aspect of the length of my contract."

Brooklyn has been interested in Teodosic for some time, having scouted him five times and he’s believed to be at the top of their wish list, according to the New York Post. Sacramento, Denver and Utah are also believed to be interested.

The Nets will have $33 million in cap space this summer and will make a run at Teodosic. If Miami, however, throws their hat in the ring, they have about $36 million in cap space with the ability to create even more. Plus, unlike Brooklyn, Miami is a competitive team (meeting one of Teodosic’s key criteria).

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At 6-foot-5, 196 pounds, Teodosic could play either guard spot, even though he’s best with the ball in his hands. Last season he averaged 16.1 points and 6.8 assists per game, and shot 38 percent on seven 3-pointers per game. The New York Post reports that Teodosic is seeking a three-year deal in the range of $25-30 million.