Yes, the Miami Heat need a major upgrade at the top of the roster, but the middle of the roster isn’t all that great, either. This team is far away from contention and could use an influx of reliable, veteran talent to bolster the rotation.
Beyond trades and the draft, the Heat won’t have cap space to add players but will have a taxpayer midlevel exception valued at $5.6 million and veteran minimum contracts available to sign free agents.
Here are five free agents who could be willing to take a little less for a chance to play a big role in Miami.
1. Bruce Brown, guard
After being a key piece in the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 championship run, Brown has played on three teams in two years. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers in the summer following his title, and has been traded to the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans over the past 15 months.
It’s unclear what his market will be this summer. After shooting a respectable clip from deep in his last season in Denver, Brown has shot 32% and 33% from 3 the last two seasons and hasn’t made the same impact on a winning program.
One thing we do know is that he won’t be signing a contract eclipsing $20 million per year again, so the former Miami Hurricane could be willing to take less and sign with the Heat.
2. Kevon Looney, center
Looney’s championship pedigree and no-nonsense approach should be appealing to the Heat. He was a favorite of Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for 10 years, but has seen his playing time dwindle with the emergence of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quentin Post over the last two years. At 29, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent and could be seeking more regular playing time elsewhere.
Looney’s impact isn’t always reflected in the box score: He sets sturdy screens, boxes out and can switch on defense. If he signs with the Heat, he’d solidify the backup spot behind Bam Adebayo.
3. Tim Hardaway Jr., guard
Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Beasley is also a free agent, and the Detroit Pistons are expected to prioritize bringing him back, meaning Hardaway will likely be looking for a new team as an unrestricted free agent.
Hardaway's family connection is obvious (his father, Tim Hardaway, is a Heat legend), and it’s not difficult to envision Hardaway, who grew up in Miami, wanting to return home.
Hardway isn’t much more than a volume shooter at this stage of his career. If the Heat are looking to add shooting off the bench, this could be an option.
4. Tyus Jones, point guard
After passing up on a chance to add Tyus Jones last summer, the Heat could right that wrong this summer. Jones ended up signing a minimum contract with the Phoenix Suns after Miami brought back Thomas Bryant and signed Alec Burks to similar contracts.
Jones started 58 games and appeared in 81 for the Suns last season and averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 assists (with just 1.1 turnovers).
If the Heat can sign him, Jones would walk into the locker room as the team’s best passer and one of the better 3-point shooters (41% over the last two seasons).
5. Al Horford, center
The Boston Celtics are facing a financial crunch and, after Jayson Tatum’s Achilles surgery, a potential gap year. Horford is an unrestricted free agent, and there were already questions about whether Boston would bring him back.
Horford is a Celtics legend, and it’s possible he would have returned on a smaller deal to chase another championship. But Tatum’s injury potentially changes things.
Horford, 38, could wait out the summer and see what contender could best use his services. If the Heat can make other moves to open their championship window, Horford could see Miami as the last stop in a remarkable career.