Miami Heat: 9 free agents with ties to Jimmy Butler

Free Agent No. 6: Derrick Rose, Combo Guard

When rookie Jimmy Butler joined the Chicago Bulls in 2011, Derrick Rose was coming off of an MVP season. Injuries limited him in 2011-12 but he was still the leader of the Bulls’ offense before tearing his ACL in the playoffs. From there, the process was begun for the baton being handed off to Butler.

All these years later, Rose might be in a position to join Butler’s team. Rose will officially hit free agency after the New York Knicks cut him loose, and he is a good enough shooter to be an option off the bench. After what was effectively a year off, will he have enough burst to play consistent minutes, or is he cooked? The Heat could use a roster slot and a minimum deal to figure that out, because the upside is fairly solid.

Free Agent No. 5: Shake Milton, Point Guard

Shake Milton has played his entire career for the Philadelphia 76ers, and as a rookie in 2018-19, he was, therefore, teammates with Jimmy Butler. While Butler has been leading the Heat deep into the playoffs, Milton has developed into a solid rotation guard for Philly, although never quite enough to be a starter.

That’s fine, as the Heat just need to find depth. Milton could likely sign for more elsewhere, but playing for the Heat on the minimum would be a solid way to showcase his ability on a good team and parlay that into a raise next summer. He can handle and get to the rim, and is a career 37.8 percent 3-point shooter. That’s a skillset the Heat could make use of.