The Miami Heat are patiently waiting for the NBA playoffs to end so the real offseason can begin, and they need it to start soon to help wash away the disappointment of this past season. Coincidentally, so are a few teams that were knocked out of the playoffs this past weekend.Â
A few names have already been rumored to the Heat through speculation and hypotheticals only, but there's no doubt that team president Pat Riley will do his due diligence in checking on players like Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant, outside the obvious target, Giannis Antetokounmpo.Â
However, another player will be hitting free agency this summer, and this player will be a hot commodity that a handful of teams will be itching to get their hands on. Thanks to the Denver Nuggets' inexcusable first-round exit from the postseason, Peyton Watson, a rising star, could be on his way out, and the Heat should have their antennas up.
The door is open for the Heat to pursue Peyton Watson
The Heat aren't the only team that fell massively short of expectations this season. The Nuggets just pulled themselves out of championship contention after failing to come from behind to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were without their starting backcourt in Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.Â
The early exit has already put Aaron Gordon's future in Denver at risk, as well as Watson's, who is about to hit free agency. That's where the Heat come in, because if there is any player they should target this summer who isn't a superstar, it's Watson.Â
Of course, the Nuggets would be foolish to let Watson walk, but they may not be able to stop him from testing the market. Nevertheless, Watson is the type of player the Heat would significantly benefit from, thanks to his athleticism (an element the Heat desperately lack on their roster) and his excellent defense, which stems from a willingness to play hard, a trait that fits exactly with who the Heat are at their core.
Watson is a winning player; he's grown into one since his first year in the NBA with the Nuggets. He won't win you a championship, but as a role player who can do so many different things on the court while being a solid two-way player, he could certainly help the Heat get closer to a contending squad.Â
The other benefit for the Heat in pursuing Watson is that he appears to be really coming into his own as a player. This past season was his career-best across the board in scoring (14.1), rebounds (4.9), and assists (2.1). He also averaged the most minutes this season, at just under 30 per game.Â
Had it not been for a hamstring injury, the Nuggets would have had Watson available to them for the playoffs. Unfortunately, he was sidelined, and his offseason began early, along with his team. The Heat are keeping their eyes locked on several players right now, but Watson should be at the top of their non-superstar list.Â
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