Miami Heat Reportedly Make 2 Significant Roster Moves
The Miami Heat failed to carry momentum from their NBA Finals run during the 2020 Bubble Playoffs into this postseason, as they faltered out of the first-round in a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. The hard dose of reality has led the organization to think about make some major changes this offseason.
The Heat should be able to overhaul their roster soon enough once free agency begins on Monday Aug. 2. Miami has some of the most cap space in the league and has been linked to multiple high-profile players since its season came to an end.
On Sunday afternoon, the Heat made a pair of roster moves that will set the table for them to be big spenders this upcoming week. The first decision Miami made was to decline the $15 million team option on veteran forward Andre Iguodala, sending the 2015 NBA Finals MVP to free agency, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Just a few minutes after news of the Iguodala move hit social media, Shams Charania reported another transaction made by the Heat. Per the Stadium and The Athletic insider, Miami will pick up the $19.4 million team option for point guard Goran Dragic for the 2021-22 season.
The Heat are declining the $15M team option on F Andre Iguodala’s contract for next season, making him a free agent, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
The Miami Heat are picking up guard Goran Dragic’s $19.4 million team option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
The Heat’s decision on Iguodala’s contract comes as no surprise as $15 million is a steep price to pay for a 37-year-old who’s best days are behind him. Despite continuing to be a reliable wing defender, the veteran forward averaged just 4.4 points in 21.3 minutes per game last season.
In what was considered to be the less likely move of the two, Dragic will be back under contract for Miami next season. The veteran point guard regressed last year due to a series of injuries, averaging only 13.4 points and 4.4 assists per game. However, the 35-year-old remains a leader in the Heat locker room, which is something that the team might value having back for the 2021-22 season.
There’s still no guarantee Dragic will remain in Miami, as the team continues to pursue Kyle Lowry. Wojnarowski called the Toronto Raptors free agent a “firm target” for the Heat in free agency on Sunday.
“As the Miami Heat create salary cap space, Toronto free agent guard Kyle Lowry remains a firm target in free agency, sources tell ESPN. Miami has more levers to pull to create space to sign Lowry outright — or can still endeavor to work a sign-and-trade with the Raptors,” Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter.
Dragic could be a major piece of that sign-and-trade, or the Heat could use another combination of assets to strike a deal with the Raptors. Either way, the start of free agency on Monday in Miami is shaping up to be active.
The Heat's decision to pick up the $19.4M option on Goran Dragic's deal is a possible precursor in utilizing him as part of a potential sign-and-trade with Toronto for Kyle Lowry, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
Free agency negotiations can officially begin on Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Signings can become official on Friday, Aug. 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, when the new league year opens.
The post Miami Heat Reportedly Make 2 Significant Roster Moves appeared first on The Spun.
