The Miami Heat have been active in the free agent market in the offseason, seeking to bolster their team from the 2022–2023 campaign that advanced to the NBA Finals.
Miami’s actions have not, however, been without consequences. Guard Gabe Vincent was reportedly traded by the team to the Los Angeles Lakers. Vincent agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lakers. Vincent started 34 games for Miami in the 2022–2023 season.
Max Strus, a talented shooter, looks like he could be leaving the Heat this offseason. It seems that Strus will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in the event that a sign-and-trade agreement can be reached. Strus has not yet made any official announcements, but there have been rumors that he has signed a four-year, $64 million contract that
would be put to use in Cleveland’s sign-and-trade.
The Heat have added a former Heat guard to the roster on a value deal and returned one player from the 2022–2023 squad.
Below is an analysis of every free agent Miami has signed thus far:
Josh Richardson, Security
Josh Richardson, Guard for Pelicans Josh Richardson, a former Heat second-round selection, is apparently joining the team again for a two-year contract.
In addition to a player option for the second season, the deal is for the veteran minimum. The Heat have added a great player in Richardson, who was reportedly persuaded to accept the Miami offer rather than a more lucrative one by head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Richardson played for the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs during the 2022–2023 season.
Richardson, a career 36.5 percent shooter from long range, should lessen the blow of losing Vincent and, if Strus is traded, moving forward this offseason. In addition, the Heat are receiving a great deal by signing Richardson for the veteran minimum and gaining a proven player.
Moving forward It’s said that Kevin Love will be going back to Miami in the offseason.
After Cleveland bought Love out during the 2022–2023 season, the Heat acquired him. Throughout the latter part of the regular season and the postseason, he was a key member of the team.
Love played for the Heat in 21 regular season games, averaging 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per contest
while making 29.7 percent of shots from beyond the arc and 38.8 percent of shots from the field.
Love, a career 37.0 percent 3-point shooter, provides the Heat with a reliable option as a stretch big for the 2023–24 campaign. In the front court, he can work well with Bam Adebayo as an outlet passer and rebounder.
This offseason, the Heat are obviously putting a premium on veteran players, and Love has a wealth of playoff and NBA Finals experience from his time with Miami and Cleveland.
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