15 Free Agents That Could Make a REAL IMPACT for the Miami Heat | Bradley Beal Chooses Clippers

15 Free Agents That Could Make a REAL IMPACT for the Miami Heat | Bradley Beal Chooses Clippers

So, Bradley Bill has officially agreed to sign with the LA Clippers after his contract buyout from the Phoenix Suns. Truthfully, I’m not moved by this. I don’t think the Clippers are some new super team like a lot of people are saying. And that’s because those people are fooled by names on a piece of paper. And the game isn’t played on paper. Like, someone should tell the Clippers front office that because their team building strategy for the last several seasons has been to acquire the biggest names possible and hope it works out. And it never does. Like it’s 2025. What is a back court of James Harden and Bradley Bill doing? It’s certainly not scaring me. And I don’t think it scares the Miami Heat either. That’s why I don’t really believe they were ever truly interested in Bradley Beal. I know there’s been a lot of conflicting reports, but certainly after they got Norman Powell, they didn’t want Beal anymore. And I believe that that Norman Powell is a better player. I think he’s a better defender. I think he’s more efficient. So, I’m cool with that. I never even really liked Bradley Bill that much just because I don’t see him as a heat culture guy. I don’t think he truly prioritizes winning and that’s because he always got the most money possible, which I’m cool with that. I’m not going to hate on him for getting his bag. He deserved it. But at the same time, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. And there was a lot of interviews where Bradley Bill’s like, “Oh, I just want to win. I don’t know why my team suck.” And it’s like it’s because you’re Bradley Bill and you have a super max contract that you’re not really worth. So it’s kind of hard to build a contender around you. So I never really wanted Bradley Bill, but I know some Heat fans disagreed. They were hoping that the Heat could get him with their last open roster spot. So that begs the question, what do the Miami Heat do now? As it stands right now, which of course it could change. They could make some trades to acquire more roster spots, shed some salary, but as it stands right now, they got one open roster spot. They’re a few million over the luxury tax, but $4 million under the first apron. So, if the Heat do decide to fill this last roster spot, I strongly believe that it would not be for more than more than a minimum contract just because they would want to avoid the first apron at all cost. If anything, they’re probably more likely not to fill this roster spot just because I think they desperately want to get under the luxury tax, which they actually have all season to do. They can operate the entire season above the tax, but then shed enough salary on the last day of the season to get under the tax and that is enough to avoid the repeaters tax. So maybe they don’t make any moves for a while. Maybe they keep this open roster spot to mid-season to give them some flexibility in the trade market. or maybe they use it to get someone who’s bought out in March. So, that remains to be seen, but I still wanted to look at a few guys that I think that he could target right now because I do think there’s some good players left in free agency that can maybe help us. I think the Miami Heat’s roster overall is is relatively deep. You know, I think we’re good in the wing position specifically, but the two biggest things that I think they need and I want to target this video is size off the bench. I know you got Vlad Golden on a two-way, but I think they would prefer to look for someone better. And then also a true point guard because they still don’t have a real facilitator, at least not while Casperis is still developing, of course. So, ideally, I’d want to get one of those two prototypes and I’d like them to be under 30 years old, just because you’re you’re not looking to win now. I’d rather get someone who’s a bit younger. Maybe he can grow with the team. Unless you get LeBron. If you get LeBron, okay, go out, get the best player available. But until that happens, I’m going to try to target guys who are mostly younger. Not everyone will fit this criteria, but I still compiled a list of 15 guys that either I’m interested in or I’ve heard rumored around the Miami Heat. So, we’re going to look at some big man first. The first two are a couple of reunion players. The first one being Precious Aua, who the Heat have a chance to write their wrong considering they traded him and Goran for Kyle Lowry. I guess trading Gor was was the more sad part, but Precious never really panned out so far. He hasn’t been a bad player, just not a great one and certainly not as good as Tyrese Maxi, who was taking one pick after him. But anyways, he’s been fine. You know, last year with New York, uh, he averaged about seven and six in 20 minutes a night, played 57 games for them. But ideally, he’s not the type of center I want. I want a big bruising center that could guard the other team’s best big man, be a great rebounder. And at 6A, Precious is just a bit undersized. He’s still a good switchy defender, just not the type of big that I would like. Some Heat fans think that he’s some stretch four, and that’s not the case. Like, just because he he does shoot threes doesn’t mean that he can. He’s been under 30% from three every year of his career except that first year in Toronto. So, I’m I’m good. I’m precious. Although he’s only 25, maybe they could bring some untapped potential out of him, but I think I’m good on that one. The next one though, I am interested in a reunion. Let’s bring Thomas Bryant back, baby. Listen, he’s only 27 years old. He’s got great size, 610, 248. He’s not a good defender, but he always brought a lot of energy to the Heat. And since we traded him to Indiana, he did the same thing for them. Had some really nice games in their deep playoff run to the NBA finals. So, I would take him as a nice guy to bring some energy, spark spark the team coming off the bench, you know, for 10 minutes a night, and he’s better than Cody Zeller and Dwayne Deadman. That’s the type of big you’re talking about with a minimum contract. So, by all means, I would be cool with bringing back Thomas Bryant. The next four centers I have here are ones that are more young. The first one I have listed is Charles Bassie, who the Heat just played against when they played Boston in the summer league. And Bassie’s having a good summer league. Averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds, 70% from the field, two blocks a night. Does have some good size to him. 610 235. A little bit of NBA experience playing four seasons between Philly and San Antonio. So, he’s never really showed a lot of production in the NBA just because of the limited playing time, but he’s 24 years old and maybe he’s finally starting to realize his potential since he’s playing so well in summer league. So, I’d be interested to see what the Heat can make out of him. The next guy I have is Ball. another one that he can write their wrongs for because they traded him and Kyakala or no they traded him in a few second round picks for Kyokala on draft night. Neither guy has really panned out in the NBA but considering Ball is actually still in the league. I guess he’s a better player than KZ. Of course, he’s not really the type of big that I want. He’s not a defensive big or anything like that, but he’s still 71, you know, with some handle. His three-point percentage hasn’t been great in the league, but he can shoot it. And I’m just very curious to see what the Heat can do with someone of his type of potential. You know, a lot of the projects that he take on, they’re a bunch of small, gritty white guys that try hard. It’s like, take on a 7-1 guy that could dribble. Let’s see what you can make out of him. You know, I would just be curious to see although he’s not the exact type of big that I want. You know, he’s had a, you know, a productive season in the NBA. didn’t play much last year with Phoenix, but three years ago he played 70 games with the Magic, averaged nine and six on 55% from the field. So, he’s not a bum, you know, only 25 years old. I wonder if the Heat can make something out of him. Next, I got Christian Koko, the 71, 230 lb center, also 25 years old, has a little bit of NBA experience, but he never really did much. Even in summer league, the numbers don’t stand out at you at only averaging eight points and four rebounds. two blocks though in summer league this season but he’s got good size you know he’s young uh what we say 25 years old yeah I just wonder if the Heat can make something out of that uh there’s some blood clot issues that’s why he missed two seasons ago obviously that’s scary for Heat fans it’s reminiscent of the Chris Boss situation but Koko is back he’s healthy and I would just be interested if the Heat could make something out of someone of his size former 33rd overall pick so there was some potential there coming out of college actually played at Arizona with Pella Larson. So, I wonder if the Heat already did a little bit of scouting on on Koko. Uh, but I’m curious to see what ends up happening with him. Uh, he was on a two-way contract last year with the Lakers. Maybe they resign him to that, but if not, I might prefer him on a two-way over Vlad Golden. I just think there’s some more potential there. And then the last young center that I want to talk about is Kai Jones, the 611 athletic freak, who was drafted 19th overall by Charlotte just a few years ago in 2021. Now, the Hornets ended up waving him pretty quickly for some off-the-court issues. As reports put it, he displayed bizarre behavior on social media, which included criticism of his teammates, incoherent speech, and declarations of being the greatest basketball player of all time. I do remember when Kai Jones was crashing out on IG live. I don’t know the full backstory there, but I still think he’s a talented player. He spent last season on a couple of two-way contracts between the Clippers and Dallas. And with Dallas, he played 12 games, 21 minutes a night, and averaged 11 and seven. So, obviously, he has nice size. He has great athleticism. And he’s still young enough that I think there’s some untapped potential there that if you got him in a system like the Miami Heats, I think maybe they could turn him into a pretty good rotation player. So, I’d be curious to see what the Heat could do with Kai Jones. But now I want to talk about a few older centers that I’m really not interested in at all. The first name I’ve heard thrown around is Bismac Bumbo, who yes, he used to kill the Heat back in the day, but that was like 10 years ago at this point. Like he’s 68, 32 years old with zero offensive game whatsoever. I’m good on Bism Bumbo. Another Raptor center that I’m also good on is Chris Buché. He’s been linked to the Miami Heath a lot and I get it. you know, he’s 6’9, can block some shots, but he’s not great defensively anywhere else because he’s very skinny, only 200 pounds. He als he’s also 32 years old. Definitely has a better game than Bumbo offensively. You know, he can shoot threes a little bit, but what’s a 32-year-old Chris Buchche going to do for the Miami Heat? Like, I’m good on that. You know, another name that I saw is Alex Len, who I honestly I I hate because back in the day he used to have beef with my boy Hassan Whitide where one gang Whitide was cooking and then Alex Len got mad. He pushed Whit Side then Whit side grabbed him and tackled him to the ground. Y’all remember that? I love that. And it was funny cuz Whiteside actually got a lesser fine than Alex Len did. So Alex Len got his ass beat, he got dominated in the paint, then he got the bigger fine. So, I I kind of look at Alex Lenn as a bit of a loser since then, but he’s been a fine backup center for many years now. You know, he’d be another Dwayne Deadman or Cody Zeller if the Heat were to get him, but at 32 years old, I I don’t exactly see the point. But now, I want to talk about a couple of guards that maybe the Heat could be interested in. The first one is Malcolm Brogden. They’ve been linked to him a lot because he’s been a guy that’s always had a really great assist to turnover ratio. Some years he’s been great at shooting. Other years he’s been subpar, but that’s because there’s also been a lot of inconsistencies in terms of his playing time due to injuries. Last season he only played 24 games, and he really hasn’t been healthy for several seasons prior to that. You know, several years ago, I would love Malcolm Brogden as a true point guard for this team, but right now, I think I’m good on that, you know, and even then, I don’t know if he would accept the minimum contract. His market might still be higher just because he is a talented player. He’s just coming off a year where he made $22 million. So, we’ll have to see what his market is. Speaking of guards that just got paid, let’s talk about Damen Lillard, where the Heat have another chance to write their wrong from 2023 where Dame said Miami and Miami only and then they didn’t get him. I don’t know if that’s Pat Riley’s fault for lowballing the Blazers or if Joe Cronin was just a bum who didn’t want to do business. I think it was maybe a little bit of both. But I think right now the Heat do have a chance to sign Dame now that he’s a free agent. He’s going to get all of his money from Milwaukee since they stretched him. So, we definitely have a chance to sign him for cheap. And that’s the good part. You know, it’s a lowrisk, potentially highreward situation. So, from that aspect, I don’t hate it. But truthfully, I I wouldn’t be thrilled if we got Dame just because I do find it hard to get optimistic about a guy of his age coming off an Achilles injury because he’s already not going to play this season. So, by the time he plays again, he’s going to be 35, about 36 years old, and I’m not sure how good that he will be at that point anyways. So, now you just got a 36-y old Dame that’s coming off an Achilles. like I wouldn’t be thrilled about it, but again, if you can get him for cheap, it’s a low risk and I’d be fine with it. Next, I want to talk about Garrison Matthews, a guy that I hate and have hated for quite a long time, which is exactly why I want him on the Miami Heat. Of course, I never liked him because he is a random scrub heat killer hall of famer, but even then, I didn’t like him since college. He went to Lipkcom, which is in the same conference as Florida GF Coast. And when I went to FGCU, he killed us one time in a conference tournament game where we had a chance to go to March Madness. So, I’ve hated Garrison Matthews since then. Then in the NBA, no matter what team he was on, he’s always killed the Heat. And that’s exactly why I think he can help us now. Same reason I used to hate Wayne Ellington. Wayne came to Miami, shot great, and I do think G that Garrison Matthews could help provide some shooting to a team that still needs it. I know they got Norman Powell, they got Fonteio, who’s had some inconsistencies in terms of his shooting percentage, but Garrison Matthews is a career 41% three-point shooter on five attempts. 28 years old and an absolute sniper, actually a little bit bigger than Fonteo 2. NBA.com has him as an inch shorter, but about 6 lbs heavier. So maybe he could play a similar role as Feio if the Heat were looking to to add some more shooting. And the last three names I want to look at are some potential reunion names for Miami. The first one is another shooter in Alec Burks who I think had a good season last year for the Heat, but he’s turning 34 years old in a couple of days. So I think that relationship is kind of over, especially since shooting again isn’t as critical as it was before Norman Powell. If they were going to go for some more shooting, I’d rather them go for the younger Garrison Matthews who is also a little bit of a better shooter as well. The next name I want to look at is our guy Drew Smith, who I think a lot of Heat fans are assuming is already on the team, but he’s technically not. So, if they were to give him a standard deal, he would take up that last roster spot. But at this point, I think Drew Smith is more likely to get another two-way contract just because he’s still recovering from his torn Achilles that he had last December. So, he’s probably several months away from actual five on five basketball contact. So, I could see the Heat giving him a two-way contract just to kind of monitor his recovery process. And if he can get back to the level he was playing last year pre-injjury, then I’m cool bringing him back. You know, he’s 27 years old, so not as young as people think. But if you have a defensive point guard rotation of DaVon Mitchell and Drew Smith, I mean, that’s just a nightmare for other teams, and I think it’d be fun to see. Speaking of two-way guards that can play a little bit of defense, the last guy that I want to talk about in this video is one that I am very excited to say has been impressing in workouts lately, and that’s our man Victor Oladipo, who has said on multiple occasions that he does not want to retire. He’s looking for a comeback. And then he was just in some five on-5 game with apparently several NBA scouts there. And word on the street is he balled out which makes me thrilled to hear because of course all the depot one of the nicest most genuine guys that you’ve ever seen between all the clips and interviews and just things that people behind the scenes have said about him. Truly seems like one of the nicest people in the world and and all the injury misfortune that he’s had. It couldn’t have happened to a worse person. Like he did not deserve any of that. But that being said, he’s also one of the most resilient people out there. very clearly he’s busted his ass many times to recover and that’s what we’re seeing right now. You know, could could I see the heat going after him? Maybe, maybe not. I think they love him still, you know, as a person. I think he still loves Miami. We know how much he loves Miami, but he’s 33 years old. You know, in terms of a basketball fit, doesn’t make a ton of sense, but hey, it’s folo. Why not go for it? I think it’d be an awesome uh storybook ending to his career if he could play out a few more seasons here on a pretty uh relatively high level like he was doing before he got hurt. He was great, you know, before he got hurt. So, I’d be curious to see if he can get back to that and hopeful as well. But that’s really all I got to say for this video. So, let me know which of these prospects you may be the most interested in. If there’s anybody that I didn’t name, make sure to drop them in the comments below because I’m very curious to hear what y’all think. Also, make sure to like the video and subscribe because I’m on a grind to hit 9,000 subs and I’ll see you on the next video. Peace out. Pull up in your city trying to get that dead face. Do it on my own. I don’t need no dead weight. Had to kill them off. Yeah, I need a head space. You know this homegrown don’t a fan.

With Bradley Beal signing with the Clippers, I discuss Miami Heat potential free agent targets including Victor Oladipo, Damian Lillard, and more. NBA and Miami Heat News featuring Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, Haywood Highsmith, Pelle Larsson, Keshad Johnson, Erik Spoelstra and more. Subscribe for more Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, NBA and NFL news.

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