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Miami Heat showing interest in free agent T.J. McConnell

By Duncan Smith

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks top pass against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks top pass against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Heat are rumored to be interested in free agent point guard T.J. McConnell. On a roster short on point guards, he could be a great fit.

The Miami Heat are shopping point guard Goran Dragic as they look to consummate their sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for Jimmy Butler. Once they move Dragic, the roster will be without an experienced point guard on their roster with the exception of Justise Winslow, who is more of a wing, but got a couple of months of point guard reps at the end of last season.

As a result, they may look to use their minimum and bi-annual exception (BAE) in order to bolster that position. Considering the flux the entire roster is in as they look to finish the Butler deal, being able to lock in that position would be one thing team president Pat Riley can check off the box. Perhaps the top target for that spot is T.J. McConnell, a Sixers free agent.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat have reached out to him:

McConnell played last season with Jimmy Butler, so the synergy they have in Philadelphia could be beneficial on the floor for the Heat. He will also already be a better pick-and-roll ball handler than either Goran Dragic, who may or may not return, or Justise Winslow, both of whom are currently the top two returning ball handlers in terms of volume last season.

While his .858 points per possession (per Synergy) in the pick-and-roll isn’t going to set the world on fire, he can at least provide some consistency off the bench in relief of whoever ends up starting at point guard.

What you need to know about the Heat free agency so far. dark. Next

As it stands, the Miami Heat can only offer a minimum contract, unless they can shed enough salary to get under the luxury tax apron, in which case they can offer the $3.6 million bi-annual exception. Of course, in order to consummate the Butler trade, they’ll have to get under the $138 million tax apron anyway, so one can’t happen until the other is complete unless McConnell intends to sign for the veteran minimum.

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