As the Miami Heat await a resolution to Damian Lillard’s trade demand, it’s important to note that they still have multiple roster spots to fill out.
Miami only has minimum contracts to offer free agents, and several former Heat players are still on the market. Would a reunion with some former players be a smart idea? Let’s look at who is available that could be worth revisiting.
Dion Waiters
After losing Gabe Vincent and Max Strus in free agency, Miami already needs guard and could need even more depth after a potential Lillard trade if guys like Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry are involved in a deal. Waiters played the best basketball of his career in Miami. Even though Waiters has been out of the league for the past three years, I think it would be worth the risk for Miami to look at him. The Heat will need guys who can create their own shot, especially off the bench. Yes, Waiters and Miami had a bad breakup after he lost playing time to Kendrick Nunn and then the gummy incident. But it’s been a few years, and it couldn’t hurt to bring him in for a workout and see where things go.
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Derrick Jones Jr.
Another hidden gem, Derrick Jones Jr. was a versatile defender but couldn’t develop a consistent jump shot during his time in Miami. After a few years in Chicago, Jones still has impressive athleticism and can guard multiple positions. If the Heat are forced to part with Caleb Martin in a Lillard deal, perhaps he could play a similar role off the bench. If Martin can remain in Miami, having two athletic wings is never a bad thing. Also, it would be nice to have Jones Jr. back in Miami’s zone.
Goran Dragic
A fan favorite, Goran Dragic, returning to Miami would make for a great story. Since Miami, Dragic has bounced around the NBA to teams such as Toronto, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Since Udonis Haslem has retired, now is the perfect time to bring in Dragic, who could fill a similar role as the trusted vet who embodies “Heat Culture.” Dragic, at 37, can also provide minutes in a pinch. The Dragon needs to come back home. Could you do it for the vibes?
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Justise Winslow
Winslow is a Swiss army knife defender, but his defense has never been questioned. His offensive ability and health are what has held him back throughout his NBA career. The Heat selected Winslow with the 10th pick in 2015, but after five years in Miami, Winslow has played for three teams in the last four years (Memphis, LA Clippers, and Portland). After undergoing ankle surgery in March, Winslow will face questions about his playing shape.
Meyers Leonard
Leonard is a big body that provides spacing, but Miami has already filled out their roster with backup bigs for Bam Adebayo in Thomas Bryant and Orlando Robinson; and brought back Kevin Love to potentially start alongside Bam. To boot, Bryant can stretch the floor (career 36% 3-point shooter) and Robinson has flashed some 3-point shooting potential in Summer League. Chances are low that Leonard is on Miami’s radar.
Kendrick Nunn
Another former Heat player that has bounced around the league since leaving Miami, Nunn’s career hasn’t taken off the way many had hoped after finishing second for Rookie of the Year in 2020. A knee injury robbed Nunn of his third season, and he split last year between the Lakers and Wizards. Now he is a free agent looking for work. Nunn is a score-first guard with playmaking limitations and a hard ceiling defensively due to his size. Miami will likely need another guard on the bench who can create his own shot and could give Nunn a look at the minimum depending on how the Lillard trade shakes out.
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The Heat have many options for building out the rest of the roster, and it shouldn’t be surprising if one or two familiar names are on their board. After all, they have already brought back Josh Richardson. Will the Heat be interested in any more former players?