Veteran big man Willie Reed, who spent the 2016/17 season with the Heat, is flying somewhat under the radar in free agency, but he has no shortage of suitors. Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype, having already reported that Reed was drawing interest from Miami, Philadelphia, Indiana, and Houston, has added the Hawks to the list of the teams interested in the unrestricted free agent. For his part, Reed says he want to prove he’s “worth every penny” he gets, no matter where he lands.
“I feel like I’ve gotten better every single year and my goal for next season is to win the Most Improved Player Award,” Reed said. “I have really high expectations for myself next year. With more minutes, I think I can be the Most Improved Player in the NBA. I want to be an elite shot-blocker and make a big impact. I think it’s just a matter of getting more minutes and experience.”
Here’s more on free agency from around the league:
- Although reports last week suggested that Gordon Hayward wanted the Jazz to re-sign George Hill, Hayward also told the team he’d love to play with Ricky Rubio, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Utah is sitting down with Hayward today, and Rubio is part of the team’s contingent in that meeting, according to Shelburne, who says Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles are also in attendance.
- If the Jazz are able to bring back Hayward, they won’t be done trying to upgrade their roster, tweets Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Utah would, at the very least, still have some form of the mid-level exception available in that scenario.
- Many teams around the NBA appearing to be waiting for resolution on the Hayward situation before moving forward on lower-tier free agents, and the Hawks are among that group, says Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- The Timberwolves pursued Paul Millsap before he committed to Denver, and there was “lots of communication” between Millsap and the Wolves, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. However, according to Wolfson, the two sides never really came close due to Minnesota’ lack of cap room.
If Hayward stays in the West he will have a tough time getting to the Finals. A team with great team defense can beat the Warriors, just have to be ready to switch when Green comes up top and play Durant uptight like Leonard did Game 1. If Favors stays I think they can beat the Warriors.
If there is no resolution on Hayward tonight, Heat should just grab Waiters and resign JJ as quickly as possible. Move on. If this dude takes too long, doesn’t come, and we lose Waiters, that’s a really bad situation
I wouldn’t go as far as he did, but I think Willie Reed would be really good for someone at the 5, and could handle a larger role. Phoenix should be interested in him. Boston should be interested in him. If Houston had money, he’d fit them. The Lakers would be a good fit. If Cleveland has their mid-level, he would fit there if he’s willing to take less. San Antonio. GS would be a fit if they had their full mid-level. I could see Atlanta, if they’re going the way it seems like they’re going…it would be nice if the Heat could keep him though. He played really well when Whiteside was hurt, he finished games for us all season, and he was part of like 4 of our best 5 lineups
I disagree. I’d rather wait for Hayward to make his choice then to chicken out and sign JJ and Dion for 30 million combined annually the next three years at least. That keeps the Heat as a fringe playoff team, 5th seed at best, whereas with Hayward and JJ (who will return no mater what the Hayward outcome), the Heat would be top 4 every season.
If Hayward opts against Miami, I’d rather bring back JJ and use the remaining cap space to sign a veteran or two for a year at a higher annual value and maintain some sort of flexibility for 2018.
They’d be movable contracts, so they’d still retain flexibility
Not necessarily movable for the next four years. Say JJ gets 4 years and 42 million, and Dion gets 4 years and 60 million, then that can be risky, especially if they get injured or regress. Although both guys broke out last year, neither had the strongest track record before last year…
JJ gets 3 years. 2 + 1. Waiters gets the same
West coast Tupac
Had reed been in last years free agency he would have definitely gotten a 8-10 a year contract, but with all shortage of cap room I just see him getting only 4-6.
He’s def leaving Miami, I think the Spurs will sign him. Pop will make him into a top 5 center.
are you serious
I don’t get why Utah has to go through all this would think Hayward would already know were the team is going and how much they love him I just find it odd that they have to do any kinda pitch for him to stay
Everyone gives there old/current team a chance to pitch them with there upcoming plan.
I get that but like I said you would think he already knows it so bringing in you former/current teammates (besides Rubio) I personally don’t understand the need
He did sign a offer sheet before with Hornets lol, he’s gone man he knows he won’t be able to get out of the West with the Warriors over there. He could go to Miami and have a offense built around him, I don’t want him on the Celtics though because I wan’t to see Tatum develop quicker.
what u mean dude? they still gotta beat them in the finals