The Miami Heat are among the teams expected to monitor DeMar DeRozan once he becomes available after Sacramento’s reported buyout, even though there had been no direct contact between the sides as of Monday afternoon.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Miami would be one of the clubs of interest for DeRozan, while also noting that the Heat still could wait on LeBron James’ decision before settling on their next wing addition. The timing matters for a Miami team that has already reshaped its roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and still appears to be searching for another perimeter scorer to complete the picture.
DeRozan’s availability would give Miami another proven half-court creator. The 36-year-old averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 77 games for the Kings last season, shooting 49.7% from the field and 86.8% from the free-throw line. He remained one of Sacramento’s most reliable sources of shot creation even as the team shifted toward a younger core and finished 22-60.
The fit in Miami is obvious on paper. The Heat already have Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo giving them star power and interior pressure, but they also need shot-making on the wing after dealing away major pieces in the blockbuster trade with Milwaukee. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis all went to the Bucks, leaving Miami to lean more heavily on the veterans and role players it has since added.
That trade gave the Heat the kind of franchise-altering centerpiece they had been chasing, but it also thinned the roster. Miami’s recent moves have included re-signing Andrew Wiggins, bringing back Simone Fontecchio, guaranteeing Dru Smith’s contract and adding Tim Hardaway Jr., yet the front office still appears to be searching for another scoring wing.
DeRozan would address a different need than a pure spacer. His value comes from isolation offense, midrange scoring and the ability to steady a second unit when possessions slow down. He does not stretch defenses the way some of Miami’s other targets might, but he has long been one of the league’s most dependable late-clock options.
Jackson also pointed to Bradley Beal and Gary Trent Jr. as other wing possibilities, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope remains a name to watch if he and Memphis part ways. Miami has liked Caldwell-Pope in the past because of his size and defensive profile, though his offense has declined over the last two seasons.
