Heat must land $603M future Hall of Fame duo after missing out on Clippers' Bradley Beal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat got off to a great start this offseason by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal that immediately made them a better team. However, the Heat still needed to add more talent to the roster to truly maximize their chances of competing for a championship.
Miami is in desperate need of another shooter, or perhaps even two. That is why the Heat have shown interest in Bradley Beal and Klay Thompson while also considering DeMar DeRozan.
“Because of the Heat working this season under a hard cap created by the machinations required for the Antetokounmpo acquisition, a deliberate approach is required for the final two standard roster spots. Among those reportedly being considered by the Heat for those two roster spots are Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson, should he become available from the Dallas Mavericks by trade or with a buyout,” Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman wrote.
On Thursday, Miami missed out on Beal after he agreed to return to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Free agent guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million deal to return to the LA Clippers, his representative, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN on Thursday night. The deal includes a player option in the second season. After declining his $5.6 million player option, Beal sifted through possibilities over the past month in free agency, including interest from the Miami Heat, before landing on the Clippers,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
With Beal now off the board, the Heat have fewer options to fill out their roster. If Miami cannot salvage the offseason by landing both DeRozan and Thompson, it could ultimately be viewed as a disappointing summer despite acquiring Antetokounmpo.
“Well, so much for that. So now Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan or bust for the Heat,” Winderman posted.
There is no doubt that Miami has a talented roster, but as of now, it is difficult to call it a championship-caliber roster. The Heat still need additional shooting and scoring to properly complement their new superstar. Without enough perimeter threats, opposing teams could pack the paint against Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo.
DeRozan and Thompson have combined to earn $603 million in contracts throughout their careers. Thompson would give Miami the elite shooting it desperately needs, while DeRozan would provide another reliable scoring option off the bench.
If they miss out on both, Miami could look back on this free-agency period as a significant missed opportunity despite making the blockbuster move for Antetokounmpo.
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