Several Eastern Conference teams have been active in reshaping their rosters to challenge the dominant Boston Celtics, while the Miami Heat, a recent rival, have maintained a low profile in their offseason maneuvers. However, the Heat have now emerged as contenders in the pursuit of star free agent DeMar DeRozan, indicating a shift in their approach.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have made significant acquisitions during the offseason, with the Knicks securing Mikal Bridges and the Sixers landing Paul George. In contrast, the Heat have been relatively restrained in their recruitment efforts, lagging behind their competitors. This changed on Tuesday when Barry Jackson, a writer for the Miami Herald, revealed that the Heat had joined the race to sign DeRozan.
“According to two sources familiar with the matter, there is mutual interest between the Miami Heat and free agent guard DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. The Heat, along with a number of other teams, are actively pursuing the six-time All-Star player”.
Miami has faced disappointment in pursuing prominent free agents in recent years, leading to a decline from their previous standing in the league. In the 2023 offseason, the Heat were highly favored to acquire Damian Lillard, who expressed a desire to join the team, but he was ultimately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Similarly, Bradley Beal, another target for the Heat from the Washington Wizards, utilized his no-trade clause to select his destination, opting for the Phoenix Suns over Miami.
With a series of setbacks in landing star players and consecutive eighth-seed finishes, the Heat are in urgent need of a turnaround. The potential addition of DeMar DeRozan could offer the team valuable skills if they can successfully secure a deal.
DeRozan Might Not Be The Best Fit But is Better Than The Alternatives
Miami struggled offensively throughout the 2023-24 season, ranking 21st in the NBA with an offensive rating of 113.3. The team faced challenges in scoring efficiently when Jimmy Butler was not on the floor.
While there are concerns about DeRozan’s offensive versatility, particularly his three-point shooting inconsistencies, his strength lies in his ability to score effectively. Combining him with Butler could create significant problems for defenses, especially in the mid-range game.
| DeMar DeRozan 2023-24 Season Stats | |
|---|---|
| Category | Stats |
| PTS | 24.0 |
| REB | 4.3 |
| AST | 5.3 |
| FG% | 48.0 |
| FT% | 85.3 |
Miami is currently focused on winning in the present moment, and at 34 years old, DeRozan is aligned with the Heat’s timeline. For Miami to bring the Compton-born star on board, they would have to arrange a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls.
As Miami is already operating near the second apron threshold, acquiring DeRozan would necessitate the front office either finding cost-saving measures or fully committing to their current core and accepting the financial consequences of surpassing the second apron.
In any case, the Heat’s opportunity to contend for a championship is narrowing, and they must take actions to extend this window, even if it means securing the services of DeMar DeRozan.
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