from a conference rival? The Heat would have a better chance if Caleb Martin opted into his $7.1 million contract, but that seems unlikely.
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls center
Situation: Vucevic is coming off a down season in which he shot 29% on 3s. He’ll be 34 at the start of next season and the Bulls might be ready to move on. Heat’s chances: Starting to get more likely. The Heat would theoretically have a few players that should interest the Bulls. Herro is too good and too young to trade for just Vucevic, but could a Duncan Robinson for Vucevic swap help both teams?
Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors guard
Situation: After signing a rich two-year, $40 million with the Pacers last summer, Brown was traded to the Raptors as part of the Pascal Siakam deal. Now he has one year left for $20 million is the Raptors are expected to see what they can flip the 27-year-old for this summer.
Heat’s chances: Realistic. Brown, a former University of Miami standout, might welcome a return to South Florida to play for a team that represents a lot of what makes him special. Brown is a hard-nosed, versatile defender with a tendency to make big plays. He’s a career 33% 3-point shooter who could fit into most lineups. The Raptors could use spacing and like to trade for players under contract. Duncan Robinson and a future first-round pick could be enough to get a deal done. But the Heat might not have those assets if they move them in a bigger trade.
Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers center
Situation: Smith has a player option for $5.4 million that he could decline to become a free agent. A mobile big man who can shoot 3s, rebound and protect the paint, Smith could be in line for a raise and more playing time elsewhere.
Heat’s chances: Tough, but not impossible. While the Heat can’t offer a raise, since they’ll be limited to the taxpayer mid-level exception, they could offer more years and player options on the back end. If Smith, the 10th pick in the 2020 draft, thinks he can maximize his potential in Miami, maybe he’d be willing to bet on himself the way guys like Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith and so many others did.
Other potential free-agent targets: Goga Bitadze, Cedi Osman, Andre Drummond, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, Kira Lewis Jr., Saddiq Bey, Jordan Nwora, Dario Saric, Dennis Smith Jr., Keita Bates-Diop, Lamar Stevens, Kessler Edwards, Kris Dunn, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Xavier Tillman.
