We’re in the beginning stages of the Miami Heat's offseason preparations, and there are plenty of plots and subplots to follow during July’s free agent push. Here are three things to know about their free agency plans:
**UPDATED: 6/30 7:30 PM ET**
Heat interested in J.J. Barea
Miami is looking for a point guard to back up Goran Dragic - who is a reported lock to re-sign with the team - and the Heat have targeted J.J. Barea as the free agent they plan to pursue for that role. The 31-year-old Barea averaged 7.5 points and 3.4 assists in 77 games for the Mavs last season.
Re-sign Dwyane Wade without selling the house
Dwyane Wade has officially opted out of his contract with the Heat, making him an unrestricted free agent. Miami wants their franchise player to play out the rest of his career in a Heat uniform (for cheap), but Wade wants his compensation to make up for the money he gave up on his two previous contracts. Both sides don't seem to want to relent on their stance, but it's hard to imagine Wade playing anywhere else next season.
Re-sign Goran Dragic
The top priority – behind keeping Wade – for the Heat is making sure they find a way to keep Dragic in Miami. He have the team a huge boost after they acquired him at the trade deadline, and they want to make sure they didn’t make that trade for nothing.
Dragic has said he’s also interested in joining the Lakers or Knicks once he hits the open market, but the Heat were one of his top choices as well.Miami can offer him more money than anyone else in free agency, and they might have to overpay to keep him in South Beach – creating an interesting dilemma for the Heat.
Lou Williams a free agent option?
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports that 2014-15 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams is expected to contact the team once the market opens.
Expect sharp-shooting sixth man Lou Williams to reach out to the Heat, among select other teams, when NBA free agency starts on July 1.
Williams (who ranked 15th in the league this season with 152 three-pointers) might be affordable only if two among Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade or Luol Deng leaves. Otherwise, the Heat would have only exception money ($5.5 million or $3.4 million, depending on whether it incurs a luxury tax).
Williams average 15.5 points with a PER of 19.90 in 25.2 minutes per game for the Toronto Raptors in 2014-15. He shot 40.4% from the field and 34.0% from downtown.
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