Will the Miami Heat sign a player who can help get them back to the top of the Eastern Conference? Will they re-sign Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith?
Those questions and others will be answered during the NBA’s free agency period, which begins June 30.
Unless the Heat make a payroll-shedding move, the front office will be limited to signing free agents to veteran minimum contracts. So for that reason, we’ll save you the pipe dreams of LeBron James, Klay Thompson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and focus instead on a list of realistic free-agent targets for the Heat.
Minimum-level point guard targets for the Heat
Monte Morris: It was a lost season for Morris, who was injured for most of his time in Detrout and barely played after he was acquired by Minnesota. He’s a small guard who will be 29 when next season starts, but he’s a good shooter and reliable table-setter on offense. We’re cheating a bit by including him in this list because he could command a chunk of the mid-level exception, but if the Heat can promise consistent playing time perhaps he’d be willing to take less for an opportunity to resuscitate his league-wide value.
Aaron Holiday: Not only was Holiday an important locker room presence for the Rockets last season, but he also had a solid season on the court. A career 38% 3-point shooter, reliable defender and steady hand, Holiday would be a quality addition to Miami’s point guard room.
Delon Wright: Wright joined the Heat after getting bought out by the Wizards late last season but never really found a spot in the rotation unless injuries thrust him into playing time. Wright was excited to join the Heat midseason – given that he was around the team as a kid when his older brother played for the organization. Would he be willing to take a minimum deal to give it another try in Miami?
Cam Payne: Payne well out of favor in Milwaukee but provided an important jolt to Philadelphia’s backcourt last season. He’s a shot-taker and occasional shot-maker who isn’t afraid to let it fly.
Malachi Flynn: Despite putting up a 50 burger at the tail end of the regular season, Flynn hasn’t done much else to stand out in the NBA. He needs to shoot better from distance (33.4% from 3 for his career) but there’s enough talent to warrant a spot at the end of a roster.