NBA Rumors: Josh McRoberts Down to Heat or Hornets
The Josh McRoberts NBA rumors are flying, with two potential suitors making aggressive bids to secure the 6-foot-10 forward with a smooth shooting stroke. McRoberts would fit in on either the Miami Heat or the Charlotte Hornets, but will the allure of staying where he’s comfortable steer him away from a potential super team (assuming the Heat re-sign the big three)?
ESPN sources say Josh McRoberts is deciding between aggressive offers from both Miami and Charlotte. Bobcats trying to keep him from Heat
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2014
MIAMI’S CHANCES
One thing is obvious here — McRoberts would be much, MUCH better off staying in Charlotte if LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade go their separate ways. No offense to the Michael Beasley‘s of the world, but without those guys, Miami isn’t sniffing the playoffs — even in the Eastern Conference.
More from NBA Free Agency
- 3 NBA teams who’ll be kicking themselves for not upgrading in free agency
- 4 Offseason acquisitions that could push their new NBA team over the top
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- 4 NBA stars who demanded a trade that didn’t happen
- NBA Rumors: Chicago pursuing the best remaining free agent
On the flip side, if those guys decide to re-up with the Heat, McRoberts would be a very good fit. The Heat are at their best when they’re slashing to the basket and kicking out to their 3-point shooters. They were nearly impossible to beat when Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were knocking down their open jumpers and McRoberts — a 36.1 percent 3-point shooter — would fit right in.
CHARLOTTE’S CHANCES
The Hornets aren’t as imposing as the Heat (w/ stars), but they’ve got an up-and-coming team that can boast as much young talent as most other teams in the NBA. Kemba Walker is on the verge of breaking out as a star, Al Jefferson is one of the best low-post threats in the entire league and Gerald Henderson is a solid scorer.
If Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller continue to develop, along with rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston, the Hornets will be in good shape for years to come.
THE RISK
The problem that arises is that the Hornets are essentially holding their cap space right now. Everyone’s waiting for the LeBron dominoes to fall and when they do, someone’s going to get left out. If McRoberts waits for the Heat and the Bobcats pull their offer to go after someone else, he’ll have to hope and pray the big boys come back — or else he’ll be in basketball purgatory.
If I were McRoberts, I’d go the safe route and sign with the Hornets. He’s comfortable there, he knows the system and the coach and it’s obvious they’re taking winning seriously out there.
UPDATE: Josh McRoberts has agreed with the Heat.
Free agent forward Josh McRoberts has agreed to a four-year contract with the Heat using the full-mid level, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 7, 2014