With reports surfacing that the Miami Heat could have interest in Paul Millsap, a potential addition could only go one of two ways.
Paul Millsap is the latest of the Miami Heat’s rumored targets for 2021 free agency. He’ll be 35 years old once he hits the open market, with no doubt a number of suitors.
His experience in the postseason and overall IQ make him an ideal fit for what the Heat hope to ultimately accomplish, which is bringing another championship to South Beach.
Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson of heavy.com was first with reports of the Heat’s interest.
https://twitter.com/ScoopB/status/1271171707164860420
How hard should they pursue Millsap? How many of their resources should they spend on the aging veteran? The forward’s averaging 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds this season with Denver.
Greg Sylvander of Miami Heat Beat and 5 Reasons Sports suggests that Miami’s interest would only come in the form of two potential scenarios.
Was told it is interest only as mid level type addition to join a contender type of scenario
— Greg Sylvander (@GregSylvander) June 13, 2020
OR..
if other teams scoop up Goran (&/or others) on lucrative multi year contracts.....they would try for a balloon 1 year offer to a player like Millsap (rolling over space to 2021) https://t.co/j3dRpeg2fO
This fits the theme of everything we’ve heard about the Heat’s ideal free agency acquisition this offseason. The team doesn’t want to risk spending any cap space they could use in the 2021 summer, with eyes on the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency.
As far as the one-year balloon deal, they’ve got that kind of contract set aside for Goran Dragic. But as we’ve noted previously, he’s going to have a competitive market. If they were to fail to bring back Dragic however then a one-year deal for Millsap wouldn’t be a terrible Plan B.
This makes a one-year deal for the mid-level exception all the more likely. At this point in his career, Millsap isn’t out for a big payday as much as he is looking for a shot at a championship.
Pat Riley‘s out to build whatever is closest to a to a championship contender ahead of the 2021 offseason. Making a play for Paul Millsap to join the Miami Heat puts them another step closer.