3 veteran free agents for the Miami Heat to target this offseason

Boston Celtics is hardly ideal, the tidal wave of a season filled with injuries, and untimely absences, eventually had its toll, thus preventing the franchise from reaching the NBA Finals for the seventh time in its history.</p> <p>This of course leads to the inevitable, being the NBA free agency season. Presently, the Heat have 10 players on their books for the upcoming season, thus presenting a raft of possibilities for the Heat front office in conjunction with the coaching staff. At his annual end-of-season press conference, team president Pat Riley made the following generic statement on free agency and the composition of the team moving forward:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pat Riley: "We're always going to try to improve the team. … You can always use more, but it has to be a good fit." Riley said the Heat will "explore" the market like it always does.</p> <p>— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/Anthony_Chiang/status/1533859502247878656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <h2>3 veteran free agents for the Miami Heat to target this offseason</h2> <p>And although trade scenarios will be at the top of many conversations, the market for veteran and minimum contracts will also be heavily sought after. This past season, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Dewayne Dedmon, and Victor Oladipo all made valuable contributions for the Heat while earning the league minumum, with Strus starting all 18 playoff games.</p> <p>Additionally, swingman Caleb Martin provided terrific value after being converted from an initial two-way deal in the early stages of this past season. Hence, low-key signings can often prove to be the key to a successful offseason.</p> <p>Given their current cap situation, the Heat are likely to be rather limited in regards to their scope of signing prospective free agents. With that in mind, here are three veteran free agents the Heat could potentially sign this summer without breaking the bank.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_445544" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-445544 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2466,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1238223451.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2466" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1238223451.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1238223451-768x592.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 02: Gary Harris #14 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><strong>3 veteran free agents for the Miami Heat to target this offseason: Gary Harris</strong></h2> <p><strong>2021-22 salary: </strong>$21,000,000</p> <p>It’s easy to overlook the fact that Gary Harris is still just 27 years of age. After six-and-a-half seasons with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/denver-nuggets/">Denver Nuggets, Harris has played the last season-and-a-half in relative anonymity with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/">Orlando Magic.</p> <p>After a true breakout in the 2017-18 season, a cavalcade of varying injuries resulted in a serious decline of production for the former 19th overall. That breakout year, his third in the league, saw the Michigan State product averaged 17.4 points while ranking eighth in the league in steals with 1.8 per game</p> <p>So, while his output in the ensuing seasons dipped, his latest campaign with the Magic featured glimpses that indicate Harris may still have plenty left in the tank. Having scored at least 20 points just twice in his previous two seasons combined, Harris did this on six occasions in the 2021-22 season. Notably, the 6’4 Harris compiled an 11-game stretch in which he averaged 18.7 points while shooting at a 41.7 percent clip from three-point range on 6.7 attempts per game.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gary Harris 🤩</p> <p>📺: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://t.co/u9SYNO3MFi">https://t.co/u9SYNO3MFi <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://t.co/IJS9sXptMz">pic.twitter.com/IJS9sXptMz

<p>— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1478887548055343111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>In fact, Harris’ overall impact from long range will certainly be an attractive calling card this offseason, connecting at a 38.4 percent clip overall last season, which included nailing 44.4 percent of his <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-closest-defender-10/?Season=2021-22&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;CloseDefDistRange=6%2B%20Feet%20-%20Wide%20Open&amp;TeamID=1610612753&amp;PerMode=Totals&amp;sort=FG3A&amp;dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">triples that were considered wide open</a>.</p> <p>Having made $21 million this past season, ascertaining Harris’ value on the open market will be an interesting point of discussion. While the Magic are currently stocked with an array of emerging players in the backcourt, retaining Harris will still likely remain a viable option as a steadying hand as the organization attempts to lift itself from the depths of the Eastern Conference.</p> <p>But if the Magic feels like their partnership should come to an end, the Heat could do worse than give consideration to the versatile Gary Harris.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_445556" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-445556 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2129,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F06%2F1237893370.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2129" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1237893370.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1237893370-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 21: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3 veteran free agents for the Miami Heat to target this offseason: 2. Joe Ingles</h2> <p><strong>2021-22 salary: </strong>$13,036,064</p> <p>This free agent signing would fall under two categories. Firstly, Joe Ingles has proven over a number of seasons that he’s an extremely valuable role player who contributes to winning teams.</p> <p>Prior to last season, Ingles was an instrumental part of a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/utah-jazz/">Utah Jazz team that had compiled multiple 50-win seasons, with his ability to be a connector between the first and second units, both as a secondary ball-handler and three-ball shooter.</p> <p>Over the past seven seasons, Ingles was one of just four players in the league to shoot at least 40 percent from deep on at least 2000 attempts.  The other three were JJ Redick, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson.</p> <p>After appearing in 45 games last season, Ingles suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and the Jazz clearly missed the veteran’s overall playmaking and veteran presence as they were bundled out in the opening round of the postseason. Ingles was traded midseason to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/">Portland Trail Blazers as a salary dump due to the injury, but of course, did not appear in any action.</p> <p>This brings up the other component of signing Ingles, and that’s his veteran presence in the locker room. Whether it’s from his time with the Jazz, the Australian National Team, or the various teams he played with across Europe, Ingles’ popularity as a teammate has never wavered.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">📹| Joe with a career-high in points and made threes, tying the franchise-high of 8 threes in a game ☕️ <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://t.co/7EId8aTtcO">pic.twitter.com/7EId8aTtcO

<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1372727664541274114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Although his current rehab process may stretch into the 2022-23 season, this is unlikely to scare off prospective suitors. At 6’8, the left-handed Ingles has the necessary skill set to switch between multiple positions, thus providing a real point of difference.</p> <p>Furthermore, and despite his season-ending layoff last season, the 34-year-old has demonstrated durability throughout his career, ranking 18th overall in games played over the past six seasons with 430 regular season games under his belt.</p> <p>Ultimately, the composition of the Heat is going to be the determining factor in terms of adding a player such as Ingles. If team legend Udonis Haslem continues for a 20th season with the season, adding Ingles, considering his age and current predicament, would seem to be less likely.</p> <p>But if a spot opens for a highly-qualified veteran who could make a real impact towards winning, the Heat would be tremendous landing spot for Joe Ingles.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_426732" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-426732 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F04%2F1228159430.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/04/1228159430.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/04/1228159430-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 22: T.J. Warren #1 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series at AdventHealth Arena on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3 veteran free agents for the Miami Heat to target this offseason: 1. TJ Warren</h2> <p><strong>2021-22 salary: </strong>$11,750,000</p> <p>Considering the Heat currently have a reclamation player and former <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacer on their roster in Victor Oladipo, why not make it a second? Like Oladaipo this past season, acquiring the services of a player the caliber of TJ Warren would naturally require the player in question to take a sizeable pay reduction from what they’ve been accustomed to the past few seasons.</p> <p>In the case of Warren, recurring foot stress fractures have put a complete halt on his progress as a player, with the now 28-year-old playing just four games in the 2020-21 season, and none in this past season.</p> <p>The timing of these extended absences could not have been worse for Warren, whose career-best season of 2019-20 was punctuated in The Bubble with some absolutely outstanding performances. In a five-game stretch to complete that regular season, Warren averaged 34.8 points on an incredible 60.5 percent return from the field.</p> <p>But just as noteworthy through his career-best stretch was his incredible increase in both volume and proficiency from three-point range. While always an accomplished scorer, Warren averaged just 1.3 attempts per game while hitting at a meager 28.3 percent clip through his first four seasons in the league. In the ensuing two seasons, this jumped to 3.7 attempts while returning an excellent 41.4 percent mark from long distance.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥 T.J. Warren 🔥</p> <p>Watch <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/TonyWarrenJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@TonyWarrenJr%e2%80%99s BEST buckets from the NBA Restart before the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/Pacers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Pacers face the Lakers at 6 PM ET on TNT! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WholeNewGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#WholeNewGame</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://t.co/03yLx6kt5D">pic.twitter.com/03yLx6kt5D

<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1292118369186062338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 8, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Notably, Warren’s only career playoff appearance came against the Heat in the 2020 Playoffs. Despite the Pacers being swept 4-0, Warren managed to average 20.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. But as alluded to above, he has in appeared a grand total of four games since this series.</p> <p>That brings us to this summer, and a recent report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN detailing that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33527374/tj-warren-miss-rest-indiana-pacers-season-eyes-free-agency-ahead-2022-23-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warren has fully recovered</a> from his duel stress fractures, and would be exploring his options as an unrestricted free agent.</p> <p>At 28 and seemingly entering his prime years, Warren presents as a risk for any prospective team. As a result, it’s more likely than not that a short-term, possibly one-year deal will be the one he earns, given his recent injury history.</p> <p>Given his offensive capabilities, accomodating a suitable deal when considering their current cap position may prove too much for the Heat front office. But if player and team feel this is the best course of action moving forward, a Miami Heat and TJ Warren partnership is certainly a tantalizing proposition.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 important offseason goals for the Mavericks" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/offseason-goals-dallas-mavericks/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/free-agents-miami-heat-target/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/07/offseason-goals-dallas-mavericks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 important offseason goals for the Mavericks </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">