DeMar DeRozan’s interest in the Miami Heat is no longer the biggest question surrounding a potential partnership.
The six-time NBA All-Star would have “high interest” in joining Miami if the Heat offered him the remaining $8.9 million portion of their midlevel exception, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported.
Miami used part of the exception to sign Tim Hardaway Jr. to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. The remaining amount could separate the Heat from teams limited to offering DeRozan the veteran minimum.
DeRozan does not appear interested in accepting a minimum contract after being waived by the Sacramento Kings, according to Siegel.
The Heat have spoken with DeRozan’s representatives since LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson previously reported. No agreement has been reached, and Miami has not determined whether it will make an offer.
One Heat official favors waiting for the market to develop before using one of the team’s three open roster spots, according to Jackson. DeRozan also has other suitors with exception money available, meaning Miami may not have the luxury of waiting indefinitely.
DeMar DeRozan Would Add Another Late-Game Scorer
Getty DeMar DeRozan drives to the basket against the Miami Heat. The six-time All-Star is interested in joining the Heat if they offer him the remaining portion of their midlevel exception.
DeRozan, who turned 37 on Friday, remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished shot creators.
He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists while shooting 49.7% in 77 starts for Sacramento last season. DeRozan has averaged at least 20 points in 12 of the past 13 regular seasons and at least five free-throw attempts in 15 consecutive seasons.
His durability is equally notable. DeRozan has played at least 74 games in five straight seasons.
As Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang detailed, DeRozan would give the Heat another dependable offensive weapon and a proven option late in close games. He can generate his own shot when a possession breaks down and create opportunities for teammates.
That skill set could be valuable when Giannis Antetokounmpo rests or when Miami’s offense stalls in the halfcourt.
The potential drawback is spacing.
DeRozan shot 32% on only 1.9 3-point attempts per game last season. He is a career 30.2% shooter from beyond the arc on 1.7 attempts per game.
More than 70% of his shots came from the midrange in each of the past two seasons, according to Chiang, citing Cleaning the Glass. DeRozan made an excellent 50% of those attempts last season, but Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo also operate primarily inside the 3-point line.
Defense is not considered a strength for DeRozan, either.
Klay Thompson Remains Heat’s Priority
GettyKlay Thompson attempts a jump shot over Miami Heat defenders, including Bam Adebayo, during a regular-season game. The four-time NBA champion has emerged as a top priority for the Heat over DeMar DeRozan and Bradley Beal.
Hardaway’s outside shooting makes him a more natural fit in a projected starting lineup featuring Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.
DeRozan could thrive as a sixth man who anchors Miami’s second-unit offense, though he has started 1,252 of his 1,264 career regular-season games. His willingness to accept a reserve role would therefore become another factor.
Miami also must preserve resources for Klay Thompson, who remains its priority, according to Jackson.
The Dallas Mavericks have little financial incentive to release Thompson, who is owed $17.5 million in the final season of his contract. If Thompson eventually negotiates a buyout, Miami could need its remaining exception money to offset part of the salary he surrenders.
Dallas, however, would prefer to trade Thompson rather than agree to a buyout.
The Heat appreciate DeRozan’s scoring and know he is interested. Their decision comes down to timing, fit and whether waiting for Thompson is worth risking the best unrestricted free agent still available.
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