How has the summer treated the Miami Heat so far?
Nearly two weeks of NBA free agency have passed, and the NBA big board still has plenty of available names.
Isaiah Thomas has the most well-adorned resume of the remaining talent, but serviceable role players like David West, Jameer Nelson and even ex-Miami Heat Michael Beasley are still looking to line their pockets.
The Heat have been relatively mum thus far. Duncan Robinson and Derrick Jones Jr. stand as the team’s sole additions, while the front office still looks for ways to return Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Wayne Ellington.
Most recently, Carmelo Anthony has become the town’s talk, with head coach Erik Spoelstra reportedly affirming he’s fond of reclaiming the 10-time All-Star, and team president Pat Riley working to draft an entrance plan if Anthony chooses Miami.
Still, signing Anthony isn’t yet in the clear. The Houston Rockets are generally held to be the frontrunners. Though Anthony once locked horns with Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, Houston can offer him what Miami can’t.
That list includes: more money (especially if Clint Capela jumps in restricted free agency), a guaranteed starting spot and a usually successful formula, best known for nearly dethroning the Golden State Warriors in Western Conference Finals.
Add to that Anthony’s BFF Chris Paul and his lack of an NBA Championship, and Anthony’s odds of reversing his career narrative in Houston drastically outweigh the same chances in Miami.
Otherwise, questions still abound for the Heat midway through summer. Only two of Miami’s key players (three if you include the newly signed Robinson) have showcased their growth, giving fans something to gnaw on ahead of next year’s campaign.
Likely to return a team that mirrors the 2017-18 roster, what are the biggest questions looming around the rest of Miami’s summer?
Is Anthony the right fit?
How many ways can it be said? Miami is short on cash. Anthony, who would potentially join the Heat as a free agent after an Oklahoma City Thunder buyout, would almost assuredly take less money than he could make elsewhere.
That’s not to say Anthony’s suitors are vocal. Since his time with the New York Knicks, Anthony has been pegged the problem child, lobbing ultimatums at coaches and front offices like they were hand grenades.
"“Ay, P, they say I gotta come off the bench,” Anthony half-scoffed, half-laughed during the 2017-18 preseason."
A bench role was not a possibility with the Thunder and likely wouldn’t be with the Heat.
Wade made the transition to a smaller role in his return to Miami, though he did so knowing it would best benefit the team he loves. Anthony lacks the same attachment, making the possibility of a copasetic Miami union less than likely.
Even if Anthony checks his attitude at the door, the basketball fit could be difficult.
A 6-foot-8 forward, Anthony’s preference to playing on the wing would displace Miami’s younger, more athletic talent.
Anthony’s proclivity for hearty jab-steps provides him a plodding tool at best, and his catch-and-shoot numbers have an inverse relationship in recent history. In 2016-17, just 29.5 percent of Anthony’s attempts were catch-and-shoots, and he connected on 45 percent of them.
Last season, he buffed his frequency to 42.4 percent of his shots, while hitting on 38.9. Part of that is a function of not meshing with Russell Westbrook, but the other part is a story of settling for low-quality attempts.
Unless he commits to moving without the rock, instead of the stationary pseudo-iso ball game he displayed in Oklahoma, Anthony might find joining Miami too much to bear.
But, as an added bonus, if the NBA ever brings back those nickname uniforms, seeing “Stay Me7o” on the back of a Heat Jersey would be pretty cool.
Is Miami’s lack of point guards a problem?
Miami’s most recent free agency move was to withdraw their offer of a second two-way contract to point guard Derrick Walton Jr.
The move was somewhat unsurprising, if only because Walton played minimal minutes in the NBA on his two-way deal last year. Walton played just 16 games last season, largely in a garbage time capacity, save for a couple 20-minute nights.
Without Walton however, Miami has a glaring hole in its roster at point guard. Besides Goran Dragic, Walton was Miami’s only point guard, at least positionally.
The Heat could surely extend a similar offer to one of their summer league or G-League prospects, but Walton’s exclusion speaks more to Miami’s continuing philosophy of positionless basketball.
Last year, Justise Winslow was the Heat’s standout in a backup guard role. His improved on-ball competence allowed flexible lineups – Winslow, Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk, Wayne Ellington and Bam Adebayo, the self-proclaimed “Platinum Group” was among Miami’s best groups, posting 21.1 points per 100 possessions – and the continuation of Spoelstra’s coaching mantra.
"“We have to view this team in a different lens,” Spoelstra told ESPN in 2012. “When we try to think conventionally and put guys in certain boxes or positions, it really hamstrings us. Not only in terms of our flow but mentally, too. We developed that term [position-less] just for guys to understand our versatility and how we need to play.”"
Renouncing traditional roles by way of releasing Walton could continue that train of thought. Since 2014, Miami has experimented with running Winslow, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson in primary ball handling roles behind Dragic.
The positional dearth they’ll have without Walton’s rights should only encourage Spoelstra to continue exploring his options.
Will 2018-19 be the year of Whiteside?
Hassan Whiteside has been the Heat player most prone to diehard support and low-key sneak disses. When he accepted his max deal in 2016, he stunted in his Snapchat story, cruising out of his hotel door while Will Smith’s “Miami” bumped in the background.
Two years later and he’s shooting 3’s in a balmy gymnasium, calling to question the coaching philosophy under which he plays.
"“You don’t know I got this jumper?” Whiteside flexed into the camera. “There’s a difference between you can’t shoot and you’re not allowed.”"
Whiteside’s jumper is a tad suspect. He drilled both triples he attempted through 54 games last year. However, his flat-footed release and slow gather makes it a skill best used sparringly.
The ups and downs of Whiteside’s relationship with Miami might finally be over. Reports surfaced that Spoelstra and Whiteside have been in contact since Miami’s first round playoff exit, a move that suggest both sides want this relationship to work.
The relationship working is certainly for the better. The current NBA market is shifting away from traditional centers like Whiteside. Even if he was the best player in the league, with his skill set teams would be hard pressed to find a perfect fit.
In fact, the majority of current players like Whiteside found long-term homes that built around their style of basketball. Marc Gasol on the Memphis Grizzlies, Andre Drummond with the Detroit Pistons and Steven Adams of the Thunder have all proven integral in their team’s brand of hoops.
Not to mention, if Whiteside should succeed anywhere it should be in Miami. From giving him the chance to rebuild his career, to leading the league in blocks per game in 2015-16, Miami’s been around every step of the way.
Through all of the speculation about Whiteside and his commitment however, one thing is clear: he’s yet to request a trade.
Despite being at the front of every hypothetical trade and dream scenario, Whiteside has kept to himself. And considering his willingness to hop on social media and air his frustrations, that Whiteside has left the team matters out of the media is showing tremendous growth on his part.
Whiteside is instrumental in Miami’s success. His rim protection is near-unmatched when he hits his stride and lobs are an easy deuce on the offensive end. Plus, his willingness to butt heads with talent like Joel Embiid helps give Miami an edge they desperately need.
Next: What the Miami Heat could pitch to Carmelo Anthony
54 games is no way to find a rhythm and Miami needs his presence whenever possible. If Whiteside returns healthy and happy, Miami will be a forced to be reckoned with.