Warriors champion could fill major Miami Heat need in free agency

The Miami Heat have cycled through several backup centers over the years but have yet to find a long-term answer behind Bam Adebayo, but that could change this offseason.

The Heat don’t have much flexibility under the salary cap, but will be armed with the 15th pick in the draft and signing veterans to minimum contracts in free agency. If the Heat want a proven option at center, free agency could be the way to go.

One such center could be Kevon Looney, who could become a free agent later this month. According to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, the Warriors are expected to release Looney to save money on their tax bill. Of Looney’s $8 million salary for next season, only $3 million is guaranteed until it becomes fully guaranteed on June 24.

“I think the likeliest situation is that he’s cut and he makes $3 million from them and he’s off looking for another spot,” Kawakami said on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast.

If the Warriors release Kevon Looney, the Miami Heat should be among the teams interested. He could be the answer behind Bam Adebayo.

Looney, at 28, should have plenty of interest from teams looking for a reliable reserve center and won’t command a huge salary. Looney started in 36 of his 74 games last season and had several DNP-CDs down the stretch as the Warriors made their playoff push. Looney saw his minutes decline as Golden State gave more playing time to rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis. 

Looney is a versatile defender and strong rebounder with championship experience, but he’s not a productive scorer or elite rim protector. 

Over the past two seasons, the Heat have cycled through Thomas Bryant, Orlando Robinson, Omer Yurtseven, Dewayne Dedmon and Cody Zeller as they have sought a reliable backup behind Adebayo. Kevin Love was Miami’s best option, but he’ll be 36 going into next season and can be exposed in certain matchups, as he was in the Heat’s first-round loss to the Boston Celtics.

Looney would be the best defensive center the Heat have had behind Adebayo. At 6-foot-9, Looney doesn’t provide elite size but he can play a similar style as Adebayo so the Heat wouldn’t have to switch up their defensive scheme when 13 goes to the bench. That kind of strategic continuity is valuable.

At the same time, the Heat could keep a true 7-footer on the roster that they could continue to develop, whether that be Robinson or another prospect acquired this summer.

If Looney were to hit free agency, the Heat should be among the teams interested.