The Heat have two rotation guards facing unrestricted free agency this week, and Gabe Vincent is considered a better bet to remain in Miami than Max Strus, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
There’s mutual interest in a new deal between the Heat and Vincent, whom the team values at a figure of about $10MM per year, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
As Fischer outlines, teams like the Suns, Pistons, Sixers, and Mavericks initially appeared to be among Vincent’s potential suitors. However, the Suns were probably only in play if they’d been forced to waive-and-stretch Chris Paul, while the Pistons may no longer be in the market for a free agent guard after making a trade for Marcus Sasser on draft night. Philadelphia and Dallas, meanwhile, would have interest in a guard like Vincent if they’re unable to re-sign James Harden and Kyrie Irving, respectively, but for now those stars appear likely to stick with their current teams.
Strus should be more popular on the open market, with cap-room teams like the Pistons, Pacers, and Magic among the possible suitors cited by league personnel, Fischer writes. Some clubs with the full mid-level exception will also have interest in Strus, according to Fischer — he mentions the Cavaliers as one, though he notes that Cleveland is also eyeing free agents like Kelly Oubre and Georges Niang.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on his latest Lowe Post podcast that there’s a “ridiculous” amount of Strus buzz happening around the NBA right now. Lowe is confident that Strus will at least get a deal worth the full mid-level exception ($12.4MM) and says a team with cap room might top that figure, which is a point Fischer makes as well. People around the league aren’t expecting Strus to re-sign with the Heat, Fischer adds.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- If Miami re-signs Vincent and doesn’t find a trade that requires Kyle Lowry‘s $29.7MM expiring contract, league personnel are preparing for the possibility that the Heat will waive Lowry, says Fischer. A report on Tuesday indicated that the team was considering the possibility of using the stretch provision on the veteran point guard. There’s already speculation about his possible free agent destinations, Fischer says, noting that a return to the Raptors would be a possible path for Lowry in that scenario.
- Christian Wood has been continually identified by league personnel as a player who is on the Heat’s radar in free agency, Fischer reports. Wood isn’t expected to re-sign with Dallas.
- If the Heat get the opportunity to make a play for Damian Lillard, there’s an expectation that Tyler Herro will be part of the package they offer the Trail Blazers. However, sources tell Chris Mannix of SI.com that Portland is “lukewarm” on Herro. It’s a moot point for now, since the Blazers remain focused on keeping Lillard. But if Dame does request a trade, it could become an important factor in trade talks.
Cavs, please don’t sign Oubre. We don’t need a guy like him as anything but a bench scorer, and he’s more expensive than that. An inefficient score-only guy who hasn’t played good defense in two seasons (the only positive defensive season in his career)? Pass. Hard pass. Caris LeVert is already capable of being better than him; the only reason Oubre put up 20 ppg last year is because he was taking 17 shots per game on a bad team, and his (lack of) efficiency reflects that.
Unless the Cavs are confident they can get him to the scoring efficiency he had in his first year in Charlotte (which was *still* subpar), his 3pt shooting from his full season in Phoenix, *and* the defense he had in Golden State, they should find someone else. Because right now he’s a negative value player for what would be required to sign him in my opinion. The only reason to sign him is if LeVert goes elsewhere.
Amen , for the all words on you spilled on Oubre I feel the exact thing can be said with Wood
Both are going to benefit from a terrible sf/c market this year – luckily teams are probably looking at 1 yr deals here w both only. Someone’s gonna have to bite ( prolllu close to full mle ) on both tho chasing the skills / positional scarcity over the non existent bball IQ and hearts of these 2 fellas
I know my Lakers are trying to tilt their heads sideways enough right now to find an angle where Wood makes enough sense to open. Up the mle for him … that’s gotta be a tough daunting task
Honestly, I’d put Wood over Oubre any day. At least Wood can score efficiently and grab rebounds! All Oubre can do is be a warm body with a jumper. Wood could maybe be a solid contributor off the bench for a strong defensive team since he can shoot and grab boards, but Oubre is always a net negative.
He’d be our starter
Agree wood over Kelley but they are cut from the same cloth imo
As a Center over Davis, while moving him to PF and Lebron to SF? I love LeBron, but the man’s joints probably sound like rice krispies at this point; the Lakers kind of have to play him at the 4 where they can more efficiently hide him on defense, right? And Davis is better off as a Center. I think he’d be more of a 6th man who can spell the two of them. Playing him as a starter sounds like a bad idea.
Ads better off at the 4
Lakers number 1 priority is finding a C who can shoot the 3 – Naz was the target … LBJ played the 3 all year last year ( on offense ) tho vando switches on D
Rui is a 4 as well … Wood would start , and if good enough finish games tho that last parts debatable
LBJ probably has to go to the 4 more next couple years but he’s still a 3 today … lakers defensive scheme helps as well as it’s more a funneling defense than a lock down 1 on 1 …. Getting a real C even further helps Hams defensive schemes as AD can roam/ help and still have rim protection behind him
Gsw killed is on the O- boards as they correctly schemed AD outta the paint from game 2 on
Ofc these centers are. Rare but wood does fit what they need he’s just such a scary player to trust
Don’t they already have Mo Bamba for that? I guess if trusting Bamba is a problem that’s one thing, but they already seem to have that need filled for 10 million, and he’s both cheaper and better in that role than Wood could be. Sure, they could waive him and eat the guaranteed part of his salary, but they just have to dismiss Beasley instead, which I’d have thought was already the plan.
I know Bamba barely played in LA last season, but that wasn’t because of performance. He can play.
no guaranteed money on Bamba
I don’t think they trust him to stay healthy
If they got wood I imagine they would completely waive Mo and either sign a vet min or use Castleton.
From the tea leaves it sounds like Mo doesn’t wanna stay either. They ideally want Ad at the 4 but that requires shooting from the 5 ( easier said than done ) I llike Myles Leonard as a possible obscure fit on the cheap avoiding any Wood scenario altogether.
Yeesh. Talk about missing the forest for the trees. LA has one great trade deadline and now they forget how to roster build xD
TBD , going to be a tough interesting market to navigate for all teams . One where many teams desires won’t be fully met ( one where I don’t expect ours will either )
I sense there won’t be that much turnover and that will upset the natives and outsiders will poke holes – Personally I’d love that approach but we have been prone to make a move when we don’t have too so I fear that –
Should be a hoot and a fun 3 day weekend
Honestly, if Wood is an option, just re-sign Thomas Bryant. A guy you already know can play. He’s a good 3pt shooter and while his defense isn’t great, it’s still fine in LA’s system. He’s probably cheaper too.
I’d love that but we burned him, don’t think he has any love for us abd rightfully so. he’s a good get for someone
I still believe in Damion Jones, oddly enoigh , shame we couldn’t keep him as a b/u
I thought that the situation was Bryant didn’t want to be relegated to a nothing role in LA, so they traded him? I guess Denver wasn’t exactly his favorite destination but he got a ring out of it! I haven’t gotten the vibe that he resents LA. A bigger role and a bigger paycheck than Denver can realistically offer him doesn’t seem like a bad carrot to offer.
No there was sone beef by both sides , some twitter trolls by Bryant and sone behind the scenes things
I agree he’s a good get for many others tho-
Props to him, we would have prolly been a 9 seed last year without his phenomenal month long stretch and possibly never even have made Rd 1 – He deserves a hat tip from all Laker fans
Righty now Taurean Prince would be useful to the Cav’s. We can get him for a song and he shoots over .400 on 3 pointers. If we can get LeVert to play defense we can get Prince to as well. Beside he is young enough we could expect him to play 3 years without breaking down from age. Oubre is young too but we already have LeVert if we choose to keep him. Prince nails the 3 & never got a fair shot his first time here.
Miami could be a good place for Wood. They need size and scoring. The Heat culture could finally wake this guy up. This is intriguing……..
Why would Cavs want Obrue. When they can just sign Caris . Who is better.
How?
Heat have no salary cap at all.
Wood is not looking for $6mm contract.
Kings can easily give him 1 year $12MM contract