With Giannis Antetokounmpo now signed to the Bucks on a record $228MM five-year extension, the Heat could pivot their 2021 free agency focus to alternative options, such as star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Blake Griffin, writes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Leonard can opt out of the contract he signed with the Clippers in the summer of 2019, and has sounded non-committal to L.A. beyond this season in recent interviews, in Winderman’s view. Meanwhile, though injuries limited Griffin to just 20 games last season, the 6’9″ power forward made the All-Star team for the Pistons in 2019.
The 2020 Eastern Conference champions should have significant cap space next summer to add a high-level player, though they will need to address the restricted free agency of sharpshooter Duncan Robinson.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Though rookie Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has struggled through some growing pains in this early season, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer suggests that the No. 3 overall pick should see more playing time from coach James Borrego. Ball is averaging just 15.5 minutes so far. “It’s tough. There are a number of guys that are capable of handling minutes,” Borrego said. “LaMelo’s got to do his part. It’s my job to do what’s best for this club.
- Hawks power forward John Collins may have rejected an extension offer in excess of $90MM prior to the season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on his Hoop Collective podcast. The high-scoring big man will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2021, and could command a similar number – or a higher one – on the open market.
- Rookie Wizards swingman Deni Avdija is getting the first-year treatment from league referees, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Head coach Scott Brooks contends that Avdija is receiving quick whistles from league officials. Early foul trouble limited Avdija to just 15 minutes of action in a loss to the Magic yesterday. “It’s just part of the rookie initiation,” Brooks commented. “I [reviewed the plays] at halftime… I didn’t think two of them were fouls.”
While Avdija has had foul trouble I still think he is playing great for a rookie and has a good future in the NBA. Really the kind of guy every team could use.
why would the Refs give “rookie treatments” of quick foul calls? What does that teach the rookie exactly?
90 mil/ 4 year deal
He will get that easily next offseason… Collins could be the best player available the way things are turning out.
I’d love for Blake to join a team like Blazers or Nuggets next year. Both team needs a stretch 4, and I think he would be a good fit.
Blake opting out of 38M? Risky.
If he stays healthy this year he’ll likely do the same thing Hayward did and chase a multi year deal at a lesser rate
JC is worth the max.
LaMelo was very good in game 2.
Avdija has been very good so far.
Why would Miami try to pry Leonard away from his hometown, instead of finding a way to keep their core together? They are building their own stars.
I could see them trying to work a deal for Chris Paul by sending Dragic back, but not selling the farm for Kawhi. Why do a multi-million multi-year signing of a player who is probably on the downside of his career after season 1 of that deal? Then when all your young stars need extensions or new deals, you are stuck without a paddle.
They wouldn’t have to sell the farm. If they get him it will be free agency and they would have to give up Robinson and Nunn probably due to cap space, but Herro, Leonard, Butler, and Adebayo as a core is a title contender.
They’re a contender anyway, and if they win a title with Kawhi, he would get the credit instead of the team, like happened in Toronto.
They have been fighting that perception in Toronto. In The Athletic comment sections, Raptor fans posters have made their grievances of team respect known so often that other posters make jest of it, like here with harden(mvp), except sounding like well-adjusted adults— from a different country than the other 29!
Agree with stevep, I would like to see the Heat win with their own. They have already downgraded the goal of capspace for 2021— somewhat— they did lose Crowder but replaced with Achuiwa.
The heat really need a top tier pass first PG. slide Herro to the wing with Butler. And Achiwa will b ready to start with Bam. Paul would b a great add. So would Devonte Graham if the Hornets made him available. Or Kyle Lowry, Jalen Brunson, maybe even Terry Rozier. But they need that lead dog to move Herro to a wing to come off screens and move without the ball. I think that’s his best spot. He’s handled running the point well so far. Buts he’s a wing naturally looking to attack/shoot
The heat need a lead guard that has a playmaking and pass first mindset…Chris Paul, even though he’s much older than their core would be an excellent addition to this squad.
Even Lonzo Ball, D.Graham, or Ricky Rubio would be a great addition to the Heat, and Ball or Graham would fit in perfectly with their growing core..
A growing core like Kendrick Nunn, plus Dragic for changing a game… as opposed to trading the core and setting aside Spoelstra for some new lead guard?