The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in signing free agent wing DeMar DeRozan. Their interest has inevitably been met with backlash, as critics are questioning why a team with a non-shooting go-to player and a lack of three-point specialists would go after yet another player who isn't exactly known to space the floor.
For as valid as that concern may be, adding DeRozan's scoring proficiency would simplify the game for Antetokounmpo in a way that outweighs the value of spacing the floor with a non-creator.
Miami undoubtedly needs to improve its three-point shooting if it's going to position Antetokounmpo to play his preferred style. That's an unavoidable reality that the Heat will ultimately pay the price for not acknowledging if they opt against doing so. In saying that, DeRozan's ability to create his own offense shouldn't be overlooked or minimized—even if some around the NBA are eagerly doing so.
An anonymous scout was the latest to criticize the Heat's interest in DeRozan, telling Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel that DeRozan would only fit as a sixth man.
“Well, he’s got more left than Klay,” the scout said. “But stylistically is the problem. He’s got to come off the bench — and he’s never come off the bench in his entire career (12 total times, all as a rookie in 2009-10). With him, Bam and Giannis, there would be no spacing. And he’s ball dominant."
The scout continued, expressing their belief that DeRozan would be unwilling to defend and even questioning how often DeRozan would want to pass the ball.
“I mean, he’s not going to defend,” the scout continued. “When he was with San Antonio, he did start to pass the ball a little. But that’s not why you have him. That’s not his strength."
For as understandable as the anonymous scout's take may be, there's a bigger issue than spacing in Miami: No one but Antetokounmpo has proven capable of consistently creating their own offense.
Heat's lack of shot creators is an even bigger issue than spacing
Yes, Antetokounmpo needs to have wider lanes to drive into. And yes, DeRozan's lackluster three-point shooting could compromise the creation of them. The harsh reality in Miami, however, is that simply having ideal driving lanes won't instantly resolve their issues.
Antetokounmpo is a dominant scorer, but if he's the only player on the roster who can consistently create their own offense, then the Heat will have a hard time winning against top-tier opponents.
Miami has two fairly high-volume scorers in Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins to try to take pressure off of Antetokounmpo. In saying that, Wiggins shot just 43.7 percent on drives this past season and Adebayo shot a woeful 32.1 percent in isolation.
DeRozan, meanwhile, shot 46.4 percent in isolation and 55.7 percent on drives. He also continues to be one of the most prolific midrange shooters in the NBA, shooting 47.6 percent on 487 attempts.
Heat have no one but Giannis to consistently create their own shots
Even at 37 years of age, DeRozan would enter the 2026-27 season as a high-volume scorer on a Heat team that lacks anyone who can check that box with efficiency. This past season, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists per game on .497/.320/.868 shooting.
For what it's worth: DeRozan also shot 35.1 percent on 1.4 catch-and-shoot three-point field goal attempts per game and 35.7 percent on 56 corner threes in a dysfunctional Sacramento Kings offense.
Regardless of how well he shoots the three in Miami, however, DeRozan would still be a positive addition. Fans and critics may be dreaming of the complete package who can swoop in and fit like a glove as a shot creating three-point shooter, but at this stage of free agency, that player simply may not exist.
With a roster that's due to make Antetokounmpo the only consistent shot creator on the court at any given moment, the Heat desperately need to find someone who can create offense with volume. DeRozan's ability to be that player is simply more important than how he could hurt their spacing.
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