The Miami Heat have will certainly have an opportunity to sign a guy this summer in free agency, but who should that guy be?
The Miami Heat have certainly already surprised a ton of people this season with their play and success on the floor, some of us included. That doesn’t mean though, that they are done trying to improve their team in their quest for their next shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy, especially if we know Pat Riley like we think we do.
While we would think that we do, something else about Riles, he always gets his guy. Here though, we will go a bit into who that guy may be.
At least we will touch on who we think it should be. With that in mind, here is AUCH’s latest roundtable on who should be the most desirable free agent signing for the Miami Heat.
Collin Loring (@cologneloring)- Danilo Gallinari (PF)
When it comes to teams in need of a splash in this summer’s free agency, the Miami Heat may just top the list. They’ve put together a deep roster behind smart drafting and flyer contracts, with the makings of a championship contender already in place behind Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
They almost found that splash midway through the 2019-2020 campaign, however, in the form of a trade for power forward Danilo Gallinari of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal fell through when he and Miami couldn’t agree to terms on an extension of his current contract.
Expect Miami to reengage Gallinari in contract talks when free agency begins. He had a strong campaign as a member of an overachieving Thunder team this season behind averages of 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on a 43/40/88 shooting split across 55 appearances.
In order to lock Gallinari into a deal to play in Miami, the Heat are going to have to make a long term offer to the 12-year veteran. Now 31 years old, he’s looking at the last large deal of his career, making not only the amount but longevity also a priority.
Yet, in a free agency market as barren as this one, Miami may have better chances at landing their next starter in the trade market; as they have long been rumored to. Nonetheless, expect for the Heat and Gallinari rumors to resurface just before free agency begins.
His fit at the four slot next to a much improved Adebayo could make for one of the more versatile and capable frontcourts not only in the Eastern Conference, but in the entire NBA. Will the Heat be willing to offer the years and price tag that go with bringing Gallinari into the fold? We shall see.