On the off chance that the Miami Heat have to prepare for life without Goran Dragic, a look at some potential replacements for the veteran point guard.
The Miami Heat are seeing unexpected successes in this year’s playoffs, and it’s largely in credit to the resurgence of point guard Goran Dragic. At 34-years old, the veteran has seemed to have refound his All-Star form from the 2017-2018 season, with the experience in between in hand.
Dragic has almost single-handedly headed the Heat Culture from Dwyane Wade‘s retirement to the arrival of Jimmy Butler. He’s seen a number of different roles since arriving in South Beach, and most recently spent the entire regular season on the bench before his upturn in Orlando.
But when Kendrick Nunn tested positive for coronavirus and missed the team’s first to two weeks of practice, the window opened up once again or Dragic to make his mark on Miami. Since, he’s become one of their best closing players, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the ball.
Only one problem: his play in Orlando has only made him all the more popular ahead of his unrestricted free agency. Prior to the NBA’s restart and playoffs, the thought was that Dragic would resign with the Heat on a one-year balloon deal in the $15-20 million range.
Is it possible that the veteran would seek out a longterm deal as opposed to continuing (and potentially finishing) his career in Miami? Most will tell you no. But it’s a probability that Pat Riley and the front office will have to prepare for; being outpriced for Dragic’s services in free agency.
That being said, a look at four different point guards that the Miami Heat should keep in mind as potential replacements to Goran Dragic’s place in this starting lineup. One from free agency, one to be acquired via trade, one from the upcoming draft, and one that’s already in house.
Veteran D.J. Augustin is the next-most longed after point guard in free agency.
Whatever team strikes out on Goran Dragic is no doubt turning next to D.J. Augustin, currently with the Orlando Magic. He was an integral piece to their playoff berth this season and the last and will be a longed after talent in this free-agent market.
Augustin’s numbers aren’t flashy, but they’re consistent. He finished the 2019-2020 regular season averaging 10.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game while knocking down just 40 percent of his field goals, but connecting on 35 percent of his three-point shots.
It should be noted those numbers are also coming from a down year, with Augustin playing less than 60 games for the first time in his 12 year career. There are flashier names sure, like Fred VanVleet or (gulp) Jordan Clarkson, but targeting a veteran is best for Miami’s cap sheet.
In the same sense, Augustin has been revered in Orlando for his willingness to accept any role. That kind of mentality is embodied in the Heat culture, making him a natural fit in Miami.
Augustin is a few years younger than Dragic. He’s a veteran with strong ball-handling and the IQ to keep turnovers limited. He’ll be cheaper than Dragic (among others), and would very likely sign the one-year deal Pat Riley is no doubt hoping to spend on a point guard this offseason.
The Miami Heat could be tempted by a potential trade for Mike Conley.
This is sure to bother some fans, given his price tag. But it’s very possible that there’s a trade that makes sense between the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat for Mike Conley. The point guard’s entering his 13th NBA season and is slated to make $34-million for the 2020-2021 campaign.
Conley’s first and only season with the Jazz wasn’t without its challenges. He saw a dramatic drop off from his days as a cornerstone for the Memphis Grizzlies, but he’s also had to share ball-handling duties with young, up and coming All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Conley put together a strong regular season behind averages of 14.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep. But Utah gave up a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets, ultimately losing Game 7 in the first round.
They’ll be looking to make changes to this roster, that prior to the season’s start was thought of as a legitimate contender behind the arrival of Conley and the Bojan Bogdanovic signing. Now, the front office is facing extensions for both Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, coming off a first-round exit.
Dealing for Conley also provides an out to shed salary in the form of veterans Andre Iguodala or Kelly Olynyk, who Utah could be talked into if they’re determined to move their point guard.
Above all else, Mike Conley is a game manager, and he’s only on the books for next season, leaving any and all hopes alive for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo/Victor Oladipo signing in 2021.
Kira Lewis Jr is a name already being tied to the Miami Heat in mock drafts.
The Miami Heat are continuing on with their playoff push, battling the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the 2020 NBA Draft isn’t too far out. And it’s not mistaken to think they’ll target a point guard, given Dragic’s status as a free agent.
Kira Lewis Jr is a name that has been tied heavily to Miami in recent mock drafts. At19 years old, he’s coming off of his second stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Lewis averaged 18.5 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in 31 games as a starter.
The point guard is currently projected to fall somewhere in the late teens to the early twenties in the draft. Lewis is long and athletic, and a profound scorer. He’s drawn NBA comparisons from the likes of Dennis Schroder, all the way to perennial All-Stars like John Wall.
His biggest weakness doesn’t lie in talent but overall knowledge of the game. Lewis stands to sharpen his skills as a point guard, after averaging 3.5 turnovers his sophomore season. Where better to learn the game than South Beach, under head coach Erik Spoelstra and company?
Lewis Jr is a strong candidate to be drafted by the Heat if they indeed end up using their first-round pick instead of including it in a trade this offseason. He’s not projected to be an immediate starting caliber player, but it would surprise few, given Miami’s developmental track record.
Tyler Herro’s all but proven that he can man the point guard spot full time.
Firstly, apologies for the When a Stranger Calls reference (for those of you who caught it). Secondly, the Miami Heat have found a legitimate stud in rookie Tyler Herro. His play inside the bubble has been the second biggest development behind Goran Dragic’s renaissance.
Does anything make more sense than him inheriting the veteran’s place, then? Herro earned starting point guard reps ahead of Dragic in Orlando, it was just the veteran that head coach Erik Spoelstra ultimately elected to lead with going into the playoffs.
But the rookie has come up big time and time again for Miami, having collected a number of clutch three-pointers in his first postseason. Herro’s averaging 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and four assists per game while connecting on 36 percent of his threes in the playoffs.
He was drafted as a shooting guard, but the rookie’s passing instincts and uncanny ability as a rebounder helped coach Spoelstra to unlock his true potential at point guard. There’s no doubt he’ll man that position at some point in his career, only a question as if to when, and in what capacity.
Before the Miami Heat can begin fretting over Goran Dragic’s status as an upcoming free agent, they’ll continue on with their playoff push. Game 4 against the Boston Celtics is scheduled for Wednesday, with tip-off slated for 8:30 pm EST. Coverage will be provided by ESPN.