Miami Has a Plan: Unknown Development

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The Miami Heat made two decent signings in free agency thus far after retaining Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard. They brought in Avery Bradley and Moe Harkless on very good contracts.

This meant that they lost Jae Crowder to the Phoenix Suns. Although they made two big time acquisitions, that Crowder role will need to be filled, and I think it’ll be an in-house move.

Moe Harkless, in my opinion, is the replacement of Derrick Jones Jr, while Avery Bradley is the big time point of attack defender that Miami has needed. Now that the power forward position needs to be filled, there are two 21 year olds waiting to make that jump.

If Miami doesn’t go after a Jae Crowder replacement, it’s a clear indication that they believe in KZ Okpala or Precious Achiuwa to make that jump, or maybe even both.

It’s basically the Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro situation from this past season. A rookie immediately having a role, while a second year player who spent his rookie year in the G-League makes a big impact. We’ve seen this play out before, so what makes you think Pat Riley won’t do it again?

There’s a reason that Miami is reluctant to include KZ Okpala in any deals. It’s because they see something special in him, which isn’t a term that’s handed out freely from the Miami Heat’s organization. And Precious Achiuwa seems to be getting a lot of love too, since Pat Riley doesn’t always show that same excitement for an incoming rookie every year.

Since there’s less time for an incoming rookie to prepare, I believe KZ Okpala would probably be the more likely option that Miami’s waiting to let free. But once again, Precious could possibly be that guy as well.

As I said at the start of free agency, Miami will have a plan if Jae Crowder walks. Although that plan was to sign Avery Bradley, that is not a Crowder filler. And the reason they didn’t try and fill Crowder’s shoes in free agency, is because they already have two young wings ready to make that jump.

KZ Okpala. Precious Achiuwa. Your time is now. Go earn your spot.

Avery Bradley Signs with Miami Heat

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Well, there it is. The Miami Heat got their point of attack defender, and he’s a very good one.

Avery Bradley reached a deal with the Miami Heat, worth $11.6 Million over two years.

It was also reported by Shams that Pat Riley and Jimmy Butler recruited him to leave Los Angeles, and he was sold on the culture.

Of course he was sold on the culture, since he has the gritty and tough mentality that the Miami Heat tend to love.

If Miami could build their ideal point of attack defender, I’m pretty sure he’d end up looking a lot like Avery Bradley.

Pick you up full court. Great one-on-one defender. Great team defender.

And once again like I’ve continually mentioned, this was Miami’s plan all along. They knew they were going to try and go after a bunch of perimeter defenders, since they already have their offensive talents on the roster.

And by the way, let’s not just label Bradley as a straight defender. He was a very solid offensive player during his tenure with Boston, since he lingered around 15 points per game during that time.

And not only did he shoot 36% from three this past season, he has shot 36% from three over his entire career. Of course I wouldn’t label him as 3 and D, but he’s pretty close. And with this team, you’d rather 70% defense and 30% shooting from your guard than 50/50.

And the price makes it even better, since you’re getting an immediate contributor for a little under $6 Million a year.

And most importantly, if Jimmy Butler wanted him here, there’s a reason.

Once again, Jimmy doesn’t want a Tyler Herro replacement, he wants a Tyler Herro complement.

And he got one. Miami has made it very clear where their mind is with this team.

For one, they’re keeping their core intact while filling out the roster with fitting parts. And second, they’re fully focused on 2021 free agency.

Jae Crowder signed a 3 year $30 Million deal with the Phoenix Suns, but like I’ve said all along, they had a back-up plan ready. And this is a pretty solid back-up plan.

Welcome to Miami, Avery Bradley.

Moe Harkless Signs with the Miami Heat

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Moe Harkless just agreed to a one year deal with the Miami Heat, worth $3.6 Million.

For one, it’s a very good price for a player of his caliber. We had an eventful opening night of free agency, which included a lot of overpaying and questionable contracts.

Miami is not looking to overpay on a defensive wing, which is why this deal makes sense.

Now, as a fit with this team, I like that even more. I don’t see it as a Jae Crowder replacement as much as I see it as a Derrick Jones Jr replacement. Of course Heat fans are waiting for the emergence of KZ Okpala, but Moe is the bench filler.

They surely aren’t bringing Moe in for the shooting aspect, but he definitely can hit the occasional three ball. And as pointed out here, he has the same three point percentage as Jae Crowder had before joining Miami.

But most importantly, they’re bringing Moe in for defensive purposes. As I mentioned prior to free agency, Miami is looking to add defensive wings that are versatile, mostly to complement their offensive talents Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. And by the way, that does not mean they’re building around these two.

The difference between Moe and Jae’s defense is that Moe is more of a perimeter guy while Jae is more physical. And as of right now, perimeter defense is what Miami needs most.

This deal does not rule out a Jae Crowder return. They will still have around $14 Million to spend, so there’s still a possibility. And you have to remember who is crunching these numbers.

But it wouldn’t be a surprise if Jae Crowder was to move on, and once again, Miami will be prepared.

As stated here, I do believe that this may indicate they will look to make a trade at the deadline possibly. The decent sized salaries will be expendable, while these cheap deals they will look to make the most of.

There’s a lot to unpack with this signing, but the overall consensus is that it makes sense in all aspects for Miami.

Cheap. Versatile defender. They were prepared to make a deal like this, instead of giving Marcus Morris $18 Million a year.

Moe Harkless, welcome to Miami.

Life With and Without Jae Crowder for Miami Heat

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There is still a lot of uncertainty around what Jae Crowder’s decision will be.

He was a huge reason for Miami’s bubble success, due to his defensive presence and unexpected shooting stretches. But although Miami would like to bring him back, they will be prepared either way.

For one, life with Jae Crowder would mean that Pat Riley got his wish of running it back, which means they can play out this season with their core, while having the option of making possible deals at the trade deadline.

Life without Jae Crowder may be a little more dramatic for Miami, since ultimately they will need somebody to fill that role. Some guys like JaMychal Green and Marcus Morris were thought about as possibilities, but each of them ended up reaching a deal.

The Marcus Morris deal might’ve put some things in perspective for both Miami and Jae Crowder. Not many expected Morris to get a deal worth $64 Million over four years. And there was a rumor that $18 Million per year would’ve been the price if Morris came to Miami.

It’s clear that the money isn’t the issue with Jae, it’s the years, according to ClutchNBA5R. And with many of the viable replacements for Jae Crowder getting deals, it’s an indication in my opinion that Miami will work something out.

One name that still could be an option though is Paul Millsap. He seems to continually get linked to Miami, and he has yet to reach a deal with a team.

PJ Tucker could also be a great replacement via trade, since he does everything that Jae Crowder does, but slightly better.

Once again, there’s still uncertainty about the Jae Crowder decision, but Miami will be prepared either way. And ultimately, this is pure speculation, I believe Jae will be back in a Miami Heat uniform to start the season.

Meyers Leonard Reaches A Deal to Stay in Miami

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Meyers Leonard also reached a deal with the Miami Heat, which is worth $20 Million for two years.

Meyers told the Associated Press, “I wanted nothing more than to come back to Miami. Literally nothing more.”

And well, it happened. Although playoff minutes weren’t flying his way in the bubble, he was one of the most key pieces to this Miami Heat locker room.

Standing on the sideline, cheering his team on. That’s Miami Heat. That’s culture.

And of course, Jimmy Butler most likely had a lot to say about that. Although there’s so much to discuss about Meyers off the court, he also has some stuff to prove on the court.

He was the starting center in one of the most productive starting lineups in the NBA last season, and there’s a reason for that.

Not only do his shooting abilities allow him to be a dangerous big man, but his on-court fit with the Heat stands out even more.

Tyler Herro got his on-court leader in Goran Dragic back, and now Bam Adebayo got a mentor back as well.

The Hammer, welcome back to Miami.

 

Goran Dragic Back in Miami Heat Uniform

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Goran Dragic decided to make his own announcement at the 6 pm free agency opening, and it was a good one for Heat fans.

It was reported that he has agreed on a two-year deal, worth $37.4 Million.

Obviously this wasn’t much of a surprise, since Pat Riley made it clear that he would look to take care of Goran.

His ability to play through the injury in the Finals put the cherry on top, since it showed he truly trusts this organization to take care of him.

And as stated here, that trade clearly did work out. Forget the production side of Goran Dragic on this Heat team, his veteran leadership is what made it most assuring about his return.

Tyler Herro needs his veteran point guard as he tries to break out in his second year in the NBA, and lucky for him he will be there every step of the way.

Miami has officially got their guy, and he will be in Miami for many years to come.

Pat Riley: “I’d Like To Run This Thing Back”

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Free agency officially begins this afternoon at 6 pm, and Miami may be involved quite a bit.

Most importantly they will look to retain Goran Dragic and Jae Crowder, which although some rumors have loomed, I have no doubt they will be back in a Miami Heat uniform next season.

Pat Riley mentioned in his press conference the other night, “I’d like to run this thing back.” And well, that starts with retaining their key free agents.

This statement can be taken a few different ways, but I believe he was saying they want to run it back with their core. I don’t think that exactly pertains to a possible move trading away Kendrick Nunn or Kelly Olynyk.

But ultimately, every team in the Eastern Conference right now is scrambling trying to get better in any way they can, while Miami is sitting back watching.

And there’s a reason for that.

It is known that Pat Riley and company are never afraid to make the big trade to make the team better, but they make take a different approach this season. After reaching the NBA Finals, Pat is content with keeping the young and productive core that this team has, and rightfully so.

For one, I believe that showcases the bright futures of Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. Bam Adebayo is clearly untouchable, but Herro and Robinson seemed to have been thrown in some trade talks here and there throughout the off-season. But well, Pat isn’t giving these guys up for nothing, and he may not even give them up for something big.

There is a real and genuine tone in Pat Riley’s voice when he talks about the potential or production of his young players, and that is not always the case.

He is perfectly fine with “running it back,” and Heat fans should be too.

Possibly adding some role players, such as Wesley Matthews, may be the most attractive move right now, so we will see what happens this afternoon when Free Agency officially begins.

Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat Changing the NBA

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It’s no surprise that the entire NBA is trying to find their Bam Adebayo, but it’s just not going to happen. Not many people are given the God given talent of being a guard in a center’s body, but he is one of them.

A few decades ago, the league was being run by dominant bigs, who worked predominantly in the low post. We’ve seen a slow shift away from that type of play in the NBA, but June 22nd, 2017 was the night that we look back at as the beginning of a new era.

Bam Adebayo was picked with the 14th pick by the Miami Heat, and it wasn’t exactly the most loved pick. Why would they take a 6’9 center who can’t shoot the three ball and doesn’t have a low post game?

Well, that’s because he can do absolutely everything else on the floor, which is ultimately the bar for teams across the league when discussing a franchise center.

Now, the Miami Heat selected Precious Achiuwa in the 2o2o NBA Draft, which means that they sense a total 360 in today’s league. They started this trend, and they’re going to ride it out until the next trend comes around.

Many thought they would size up after the Los Angeles Lakers bigs gave them major trouble in the NBA Finals, but I also believe they see this as a counter. Having two quick bigs on the roster gives Miami major flexibility, and ultimately could play many team’s centers off of the floor.

And if any team was going to do it, it would be this fast paced, in-shape Miami Heat team, who could potentially look to run teams off the floor.

Once again, everybody is trying to find their Bam, but there is no other Bam. I’ve mentioned the fact that Precious can reiterate many of the things that Bam does, but that doesn’t mean he’s on track to be the same type of player.

Not only does every team want their Bam, but every player wants to be like Bam. The players in the draft also realize that the game is changing, so they will need to have a versatile offensive game by play-making, handling the ball, and potentially running the offense.

That’s the goal.

The goal is Bam.

And not many people are going to reach that goal.

Precious Achiuwa Drafted By the Miami Heat

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The Miami Heat got lucky in the 2020 NBA Draft, after a surprising player dropped all the way to pick 20, Precious Achiuwa.

Personally, I didn’t think he’d be available at pick 20, but I did mention in the past that it was intriguing that he worked out for the Miami Heat.

He gives Miami exactly what they lacked this past season, which is a Bam filler. Some believed they needed a guy that can do all of the things that Bam can’t do, but they instead went with the guy who can replicate a lot of the things he does.

For one, he has a very good face-up game, which is pretty similar to that of Bam Adebayo. He has the ability to drive to the basket off the dribble, and surprisingly utilizes a lot of the spots on the floor that Bam does.

That doesn’t mean they can’t play together. Precious has the ability to roam the baseline impressively, while playing outside of the box, which will allow Bam to continue to do what he does best.

There also won’t be much of a drop off on the defensive end when Bam exits the game, since he can guard anybody from a 2 to a 5. And after going up against the big man heavy Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, Miami knew he’d fit their needs. Not only for a guy that has size to grab some boards, but even to match up defensively against the many bigs and wings in the loaded Eastern Conference.

He’s a physical monster, and his biggest strength most likely begins with energy. Not many bigs play with high energy in college like Bam Adebayo did, but Precious does as well. He represents the type of grittiness and Miami Heat culture that they look for in a draft pick.

He also has the ability to shoot the ball, but that’s not his best attribute in my opinion. Miami wants their guys to play to their own strengths, which is why I believe he will have a role that I described earlier.

The shooting does seem to need some mechanical tweaks, which is a great sign. If he can just develop a consistent mid-range jumper, much like the one Bam Adebayo is looking to develop, he will be in fantastic shape.

And since he can play above the rim, it’ll be interesting to see how Erik Spoelstra utilizes him in the offense.

Although Miami didn’t make any ground breaking moves during the NBA Draft, it assuredly was a productive night.

5 Possible Miami Heat Draft Picks

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Tonight is officially the NBA draft, where the Miami Heat will be selecting at pick 20. Well, maybe.

There’s been discussion of Miami either including the pick in a trade after they make their selection, or using it to trade down to the second round. Since both are viable options, here are three possible picks for Miami at 20, and two possible picks in the second round.

First Round Possibilities

1. Vernon Carey Jr

This one is pretty obvious, since it’s somebody I’ve been discussing for a while now. Vernon Carey Jr is a quality young big, who can do a some of the things that Bam Adebayo doesn’t. For one, he thrives with his back to the basket in the post, and it’s obvious Bam enjoys facing up the basket. He also has the ability to stretch the floor, which is something he mentioned quite a lot in his media session. And clearly his ties with the Miami Heat make this a viable pick, and I believe he could fit in well, especially since Miami may not have a backup big if Kelly Olynyk gets moved.

2. Zeke Nnaji

Zeke Nnaji is another big man that I believe Miami will take a look at. For one, the first team he worked out for in this pre-draft process was the Miami Heat. When Miami is looking at these players, I believe they try to find a unique quality that they can bring. And Nnaji has an immense amount of energy that he brings every night, which appeals to Miami. He also has gotten his body right as of late, which he kept reiterating to media that he was down to 5.9% body fat, while adding 20 pounds of muscle. I think he’s a solid fit for Miami if they go for a big man at pick 20.

3. Desmond Bane

Now, Desmond Bane seems to be the guy that Miami Heat fans love the most, and rightfully so. First off, he’s a very polished player already, and that is what Miami will be looking for in this draft. He’s an outstanding shooter from deep, and actually was used quite similarly to Duncan Robinson when he was in college. He would run off a bunch of screens to find open shots, but still can score off the dribble. He also has a very high defensive motor, which if Miami takes a guard or a wing, it’ll be one who can play on the defensive end.

Second Round Possibilities

4. Ashton Hagans

Now, the reason I think there’s such a high chance Miami trades down to the second round is because there are many great options in that range. The one that I’ve mentioned a lot that will stick out to Miami is Kentucky guard Ashton Hagans. It’s clear he won’t bring much offensive impact upon arrival, but Miami has enough offensive talent. Instead he can bring his biggest strength, which is everything that involves the defensive side of the ball. He can pick you up full court, hit the passing lanes, and endures quickness to stay on his man one-on-one through screens. This defensive talent will stand out to Miami, which is why I believe if they trade down to the second round, it’ll be for Ashton Hagans.

5. Immanuel Quickley

The other possible second round pick is no surprise, another Kentucky guard. Miami loves their Kentucky players, and there are plenty of them in this draft. Immanuel Quickley is a solid 3 and D guy, who shoots the three ball at a very high level. He gets labeled as a catch and shoot guy since that was his role at Kentucky, but it’s clear he will be much more than that at the next level. He can take guys off the dribble when needed, which is why he reminds me of Tyler Herro coming out of college, since he was labeled as a catch and shoot guy as well. His defensive presence is mostly effective on individual assignments, which is what Miami needs, but does lack some quality team defensive attributes. Either way, Immanuel Quickley is a super talented prospect who will appeal to Miami. And at the end of the day, if Miami selects a Kentucky Wildcat, it’s a successful draft.