The Miami Heat could run into depth issues sooner rather than later this offseason. With multiple core pieces requiring new contracts, the roster could look a lot different at the start of next year.
One of the biggest positional concerns should be at the point guard spot. Both of the team’s top players at the position could be gone by the time the season starts.
Goran Dragic has an extremely expensive team option which the Heat could choose to decline. Meanwhile, Kendrick Nunn is a restricted free agent and the team might choose to let him walk if the cost is too high.
If the Miami Heat lose out on both players, there will be a serious hole at point guard. They could make an offer for players such as Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry, but there’s no guarantee that they choose the Heat.
Even if they do sign a big-name free agent or pull off a trade, they don’t have a lot of depth at the position. This leaves one main option to add depth at the one – free agency.
There are plenty of free agents in this year’s class that might be willing to sign a cheap contract. In addition, a lot of them are quality point guards.
With Jimmy Butler being the primary playmaker on the team, the Miami Heat have a few different directions they could go in regarding the playstyle of the guards they choose to sign.
More playmaking is always helpful, but getting guards that can defend and shoot would be ideal as well. Who are the top options the Miami Heat could sign for cheap this summer?
Miami Heat point guard target #1: Langston Galloway
Langston Galloway could prove to be the ideal fit out of all the available options. He didn’t see a ton of floor time with the Suns last year and could be looking for a larger role.
Despite the lack of playing time, he has proven to be a valuable asset in the past. He played with the Pistons during the 2019-20 season and had a career year.
In that season he averaged 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He shot 43.5% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range.
He also ended up being fifth on the Suns in defensive rating last year (107.5). Though he took a step back defensively last year, he played really well on that end of the floor with the Pistons.
This sort of efficient production is exactly what the Miami Heat could use in their rotation. He has shown the ability to play well no matter how many minutes he’s given.
He is only 29 years old, but since he barely got any minutes last year will likely only ask for a minimum deal. This is the sort of opportunity the Miami Heat should pounce on.
Adding Galloway to the rotation would give the Miami Heat the flexibility to allow one of Dragic or Nunn to walk. It seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Miami Heat point guard target #2: Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers does a little bit of everything on the basketball court. In addition, he has the exact mindset that the Miami Heat look for in their players.
Rivers is a solid defender who shoots the ball super well. He started off last season hot with the Knicks before joining the Nuggets later on in the year.
He stepped up big-time in the playoffs when the Denver Nuggets needed him to. His confidence never wavered and he was willing to take any and every shot in the clutch.
In that series, he averaged 11.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Rivers also shot the ball insanely well, shooting 47.8% from the field and 48.4% from deep.
Despite showing the ability to produce solid stats, Rivers has played on seven teams during his nine-year career. However, he’s only 28 years old and still has plenty left in the tank.
His price tag could end up being a little bit more than a veteran minimum contract. Even if it requires utilizing the MLE, though, it could be worth it for the Heat.
He’s never been an elite playmaker by any means, but he does his job well. Rivers is a solid scorer that can hold his own on the defensive end.
Perhaps his best attribute, however, is his ability to step up when it matters most. This would end up being a very underrated signing if the Miami Heat were able to get a deal done.
Miami Heat point guard target #3: Alex Caruso
If the Miami Heat want to add a steady mix of shooting and defense Alex Caruso should be near the top of their list. He provided both those things for the Lakers last year.
Though many fans choose to view Caruso as nothing more than a meme, he’s turned himself into a quality NBA player. He possesses the exact skills that every team is looking for nowadays.
One of the biggest draws with signing Caruso is that he doesn’t need a huge role in order to be effective. He can thrive in whatever role he is given.
Last season, Caruso averaged 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He shot 43.6% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.
In addition, his defense is one of his best assets. Though it may not be the first thing people think of, it just might be his best trait.
The Lakers finished with the best defensive rating in the NBA last season. This was the case despite both LeBron James and Anthony Davis missing significant time.
Out of all Lakers players who played at least 30 games, Caruso finished with the second-best defensive rating (101.7). On top of that, he ended the year with the 10th best defensive rating based on these qualifications in the entire league.
Prying him away from the Lakers could prove to be tough, but it’s certainly worth a shot. The Miami Heat would add reliable shooting and a strong defensive presence to their backcourt with this signing.