1 Dream, 1 Reach and 1 Realistic Offseason Target for the Miami Heat

Reach: Jalen Smith

A mobile big man who can shoot 3s, rebound and protect the paint, Jalen Smith has a player option this summer and could be in line for a raise.

Smith with the 10th-overall pick by the Suns in 2020 before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers halfway through his second season. Since then, he’s carved out a role as a high-energy big and occasional starter. 

Smith averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game for the Pacers this season and shot 42.4% on 2.4 3-point attempts per game.

In Miami, Smith could play behind Adebayo or start alongside him in bigger lineups. 

The Heat would have to free up the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Smith as a free agent, and even that might not be enough as plenty of teams will be looking for a 6-foot-10 center who can make 3s at a high clip. 

The Heat would likely first have to make a cost-cutting move to reduce payroll and create more space below the second tax apron to make Smith a competitive offer with the $5.1 million taxpayer mid-level exception.