5 Free agents the Miami Heat can sign to replace Caleb Martin

Jae Crowder

Could the Heat also circle back to a proven “3 & D” role player that started alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt for the 2020 Finals run? Jae Crowder is a guy who probably shouldn’t have left Miami in the first place, but chose the money over fit. However, he has flirted with the idea of a South Beach reunion on social media several times in recent years.

At this point of his career at the age of 33, he could be much more willing to come back on a veteran minimum deal. He had great chemistry with Butler and Adebayo, and coach Erik Spoelstra brought out the best of Crowder and his abilities. This is a guy that is listed at 6’6 and able to guard multiple positions. 

He could make it easier for the likes of Butler and even Rozier and Herro on the perimeter by taking on one-on-one defensive challenges. Crowder had some big moments during that bubble run years ago, including knocking down some crucial 3-point buckets and earning stops. He averaged 12.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists on nearly 35.0% long range shooting across 21 playoff games that season.