The Miami Heat have had a quiet offseason so far, but there is still time for the team to make a significant addition before the 2024-25 season.
DeMar DeRozan, a star veteran who has spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Bulls, is a free agent this summer, and according to reports, the Heat are considered “slight favourites” in the hunt for the six-time All-Star.
“The [Los Angeles] Lakers aggressively pursued Klay Thompson, but Thompson turned down their offer of more years and money from the Lakers to join the Dallas Mavericks, according to league sources,” Jovan Buha, of The Athletic, writes. “They’ve now turned their attention to DeMar DeRozan, though the Miami Heat are currently viewed as slight favourites to land the 15-year veteran and six-time All-Star, according to league sources.”
While the rumour is hopeful for fans eager to see DeRozan in Miami, a recent update from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald revealed a sobering reality.
DeRozan revitalized his career with the Bulls, garnering two All-Star nods and one All-NBA selection in three seasons. He even ended 10th in the MVP race during the 2021-22 season.
This season, he averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from outside the arc. In the regular season, he appeared in 79 of 82 games and averaged 37.8 minutes per game, leading the league.
Adding DeRozan would undoubtedly make an impression, but there are some potential drawbacks for Miami.
The California native is nearly 35 years old, and his presence on the Heat would undoubtedly raise some eyebrows. After all, he’s only a 29.6 percent 3-point shooter in his NBA career, and Miami already has two core players (Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo) who aren’t exactly recognized for their 3-point shooting — even if they’re improving.
Ultimately, the Heat may need to make some noise this offseason if they want to be relevant in the Eastern Conference next season, and making an imperfect acquisition may be preferable than making no major addition at all.
DeRozan, who has previously played for the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs, is searching for his first NBA championship. Meanwhile, the Heat are attempting to secure their first victory since the Big Three era.
Leave a Reply