Even after the Miami Heat lost Norman Powell for nothing in NBA Free Agency, there hasn't been a sense of panic yet as the team begins to build around Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, as the days continue to waste away, that's likely going to change.
One big reason why: it appears that the Heat's best logical possible replacement for Powell, Anfernee Simons, may already be out of reach because of financial reasons.
According to The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Simons may be less likely of an option because he's going to demand more money than the Heat can offer. After agreeing to a free-agent contract with Tim Hardaway Jr., which will pay him in excess of $6 million this season, the Heat has less than $6 million to use on any other player in free agency.
Anfernee Simons is an unlikely target for the Heat
Landing Simons for that contract figure is a pretty bold pipe dream for the Heat right now, and Jackson pretty much made that quite clear.
That means as the Heat looks to build around Giannis, they may have to explore other options. Or find a path toward more financial flexibility. Theoretically speaking, the Heat could go down that path if they wanted to by trading Bobby Portis or Nikola Jovic, which could be something they've hinted at, but that is far from a guarantee at this point.
But if the path to Simons has indeed closed for the Heat, it will cause more difficulties for the build around Giannis. Because Simons was viewed as a pretty obvious potential replacement for Powell.
Next to Giannis and Bam Adebayo, there's reason to believe that Simons would've been able to feast in such a role. Before being shipped off to Boston (and then Chicago), Simons had four straight seasons in which he averaged at least 17 points per game on an average of 38 percent shooting from 3-point range.
If no Simons, what moves could be left for the Heat to make?
On paper, the Heat landing Simons would've been a pretty solid swap for Powell. But if no Simons, what other options could be left for Miami? Well, they're not as "sexy" as the Simons dream.
Bradley Beal is still a name to keep a close eye on, but with his injury concerns, I'm not sure it'd be smart to place many expectations on such a move. And then there are the questions about whether he can stay healthy and available after only playing in six games last season for the LA Clippers.
Khris Middleton is a name that continues to be linked to the Heat, but the same concerns with Beal are there with the veteran wing.
At least where things currently stand, the Heat don't have plenty of clear options if the Simons boat has sailed.
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