The Miami Heat made the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Tim Hardaway Jr. addition official as soon as the new league year opened earlier this week. However, any other moves they may have lined up could be on hold until LeBron James makes a decision of his own.
It's a familiar place that the Heat find themselves in as they wait for LeBron to figure out his future, but this time around, Miami might face far more risk.
Considering the viable options for the Heat are limited as they look to finalize the year one roster around Giannis, the Heat don't have the array of options they can pivot to. If LeBron delays more than expected, the Heat could be left empty-handed in a way that would backfire immensely.
Will Heat's targets wait on LeBron too?
Ultimately, it comes down to one big question: will the Heat's current veteran targets wait on a decision from LeBron, too? If the answer to that question is no, the Heat are risking that this entire strategic plan could backfire in a way that would greatly impact Giannis' first year in Miami.
The last thing the Heat needs to do is hold out false hope for LeBron while also hurting what they're trying to build with Giannis.
And, if Miami isn't careful, that's exactly how this could all end up playing out over the next couple of weeks.
Is there a chance that the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Khris Middleton, and any other veteran free agent that has been linked to the Heat will be willing to wait out this process with LeBron? Absolutely, and if they truly want to join Giannis in Miami, they will.
However, if there's even a chance that any of those free agents would run out of patience, it's easy to see why this is a move that could end up backfiring for the Heat.
Especially if LeBron ends up going to Cleveland, which seems like the safe bet at this point.
How long will the Heat wait on LeBron?
The Heat have waited on LeBron before (back in 2010), and it ended up working out for them. However, this is not 2010, and I'm not sure the Heat can be as willing to wait out this process as they were in the past.
Especially if LeBron may not plan on making a decision anytime soon, the Heat may have to make the tough move of pushing forward without him.
It may not be popular or what fans may want to hear, but if it lowers the risk of the Heat missing out on other veterans they may have their eyes on, it's certainly the right decision.
Miami needs to be focused on building a strong team around Giannis, and if there's any sense that LeBron may already be leaning in Cleveland's direction, it's going to be nearly impossible to find a path to get him to pivot.
The Heat's front office should be waiting on LeBron, but only to a certain extent. It's a fine line they should be walking very carefully over these next few days, and they certainly know it. Miami can't afford to be left flat-footed because of LeBron again.
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