Miami Heat: Where does Jae Crowder fit into free agency plans?

Jae Crowder’s three-point shooting and defense have made him a priority for the Miami Heat this offseason. But how far should they go to sign him?

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat front office made a play for 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala at the trade deadline. For the cost of Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and James Johnson; while also taking back the salaries of veterans Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill.

While Iguodala’s defense has played a part in their making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, Crowder has actually become a starter for Miami. He’s put on a three-point clinic inside the bubble in Orlando, while matching that effort with intensity on the defensive end.

In the five-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks alone, Crowder connected on 22 of his 51 attempts from behind the arc, averaging out to a 43 percent shooting mark. His play has been a welcome development for this Heat team, while all the same making for a wrinkle in their plans.

The aforementioned plans of course, being the Miami Heat’s approach to this offseason. Including Crowder, the team has six players entering unrestricted free agency. Given their aspirations come the 2021 offseason, it’s truly indiscernible as to how they’ll approach the free agent market.

We know that Goran Dragic wants to be in Miami, and that the Heat want him here too. Beyond that, anyone is fair game, including letting guys like Meyers Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr walk. But when it comes to priority, how hard should the front office push to resign Jae Crowder?

I’d say behind Dragic, the veteran forward should be next in line on the priority list. At this point, you’d be hard stricken trying to find someone who disagrees with that. Crowder embodies this Heat Culture, and fits both their offensive and defensive scheme perfectly.

That’s not going to change going forward. So the only hold up with Crowder signing a new lease to remain in South Beach is the cap situation and any potential overpay from a rebuilding team.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and it’s longterm affects on in-house revenue for teams like merchandise and ticket sales, a lot of franchises will be looking to cut the corner and save even pennies on the dollar if that’s what it takes in the offseason.

Miami is largely unaffected in regards to their free agency hopes, given that they were already prepared to sign guys like Dragic to a one-year balloon deal, still preserving their precious cap space for the 2021 star chase. Will Crowder’s next contract break the bank?

Given his rise with the Heat since coming in at the deadline, a number of contending eyes have been watching the veteran, anticipating his free agency. But unless they offer longterm stability, it’ll be hard to match the role and price tag Pat Riley’s no doubt prepared to offer.

That leaves just the rebuilding teams as threats, like the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, or New York Knicks who all have oodles of cap space. But given that Crowder’s found himself a role on a championship caliber team, it’s safe to say he won’t be tempted to join the ranks of a rebuild.

All in all, it seems that Jae Crowder’s immediate future lies with the Miami Heat. They’re going to the Eastern Conference Finals with him in place as a starter in the frontcourt, and the team is entering a free agency period with little to no expectations.

So yes, Pat Riley and the front office need to do whatever it takes this offseason to bring the veteran back, as long as it doesn’t mean passing on Goran Dragic. Look for Crowder to have a place on this roster come opening night of the 2020-2021 season.

For now, Jae Crowder and the Miami Heat are awaiting the results of the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors’ Game 7 on Friday night. That will determine their opponent for the Eastern Conference Finals, and chances at playing in the 2020 NBA Finals.