If the Miami Heat wanted to add one more veteran to their roster, the opportunity is there with an open roster spot. However, it's pretty safe to assume that it won't be filled by Russell Westbrook, who remains a free agent on the open market. By avoiding the lure of Westbrook, the Heat may have dodged a huge bullet.
According to Heat reporter Ira Winderman, the Heat doesn't have interest in Westbrook at the moment. Could that change? Possibly, but I do find that unlikely as the Heat prepare for the new season.
Even though Westbrook is still somewhat of a useful player at this point in his career, he doesn't make much sense for a middling team like the Heat. Miami is hopeful to be a playoff team this season, but it's hard to imagine Westbrook fitting in much this year. Even less so considering how their roster is constructed.
The Heat have a need at the point guard position, but it's probably best that they keep the final roster spot open to maintain flexibility, or if they do want to fill it before the start of the season, opt for a young player with promise.
And to be completely honest, the Heat have a bigger need in the frontcourt than they do at point guard. That should be the biggest indication that Westbrook shouldn't even be on the Heat's radar.
Westbrook would be a disaster fit for the Heat
With Westbrook's best days behind him, the Heat would've given themselves a huge headache by signing the veteran guard.
Had Westbrook been an offseason signing for the Heat, it wouldn't have immediately created an unnecessary logjam for minutes in the backcourt. Miami may have a need for a pure point guard, but they're not short on guards.
As is, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is going to have his plate full of tough decisions regarding the team's opening night rotation. There's an argument to be made that Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, and even Terry Rozier will all be fighting for minutes in the backcourt.
As much of a wizard as Spo is, he can't play them all and will need to settle into a comfortable rotation pretty quickly. There's likely going to be an odd man (or two) out, and, at this point, it's tough to tell who that will be. Throw Westbrook in the mix, and Spo's life becomes that much more difficult.
It's easy to see how much the acquisition of Westbrook would've complicated things for the Heat, and we haven't even gotten into his rough fit with the team on the floor.
All in all, the Heat avoided a completely unnecessary bullet with their lack of interest in Westbrook. I'm sure this is one of those big-name players the fan base will be perfectly fine with missing out on.