Over the next few weeks, there are going to be some interesting options for the Miami Heat as they prepare to build out the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo. One move the Heat shouldn't make, though, would revolve around revisiting past interest in DeMar DeRozan.
As DeRozan's future in Sacramento gets cloudier by the minute, there's a greater chance that he could hit the open market after being waived. However, despite the natural lure that there will be, DeRozan isn't a player who would fit great next to Giannis and Bam Adebayo.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, there's a chance that DeRozan could be waived and stretched by the Kings. If that were to happen, DeRozan would then have the opportunity to sign for a much more team-friendly contract with a contender.
"In the midst of a rebuild and over the first apron, barring an unexpected trade, the Sacramento Kings are expected to waive-and-stretch forward DeMar DeRozan, HoopsHype has learned."
The Heat should look past the temptation of the "name" signing
I'm sure the Heat's name will be thrown around if DeRozan becomes available. At least in part because of their past interest in DeRozan, but this is one of those opportunities that they should just decline.
There may have been a time when a DeRozan addition would've made sense for the Heat, but that is no longer the case. Even less so after the addition of Giannis.
DeRozan's inability to stretch the floor on a team that already has a huge need for shooting wouldn't be a great addition for Miami. In fact, it'd make their spacing issues even worse.
But this is not even just a personal vendetta against DeRozan. On paper, DeRozan's playstyle and overall offensive strengths would make him a difficult fit next to Giannis and Bam. But, even beyond that, the Heat must overall avoid the "name" signings altogether over these next few weeks.
And that could be tough.
Because if there's one thing the Heat organization loves, it's these types of moves. To be honest, I'm not even sure you can blame them that much. After all, which fan base doesn't appreciate signing players who have a resume and name that pop?
However, I'd argue that instead of bringing in players with a familiar resume, the Heat needs to be more interested in players that fit better together. Even if it comes in the way of unproven young players.
Especially with Bam and Giannis, the Heat is going to need some energetic and athletic young players who are looking to prove themselves. Is there a place for savvy veterans on the Heat roster? Sure. But those should be few and far between.
And, honestly, there may be other veterans who would fit the mold better next to Giannis and Bam than DeRozan. If the opportunity does come across the table for the Heat, they should pass on the option of bringing in DeRozan. No matter how tempting it may be to sign a player with that type of pedigree.
Add us as a preferred source on Google