The Miami Heat have several big questions to answer as the free agency period is set to begin. Dwyane Wade‘s status with the team looms as the biggest issue but finding another quality player to share the back court is just behind as the team’s top priorities.
The best candidate to fill this particular void is Goran Dragic, whom Miami acquired via mid-season trade back in February. While the team didn’t make the playoffs with Dragic running the point, that had more to do with ongoing health issues than any lack of production.
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But as a free agent, Dragic is reportedly set to cash in big, with the Heat preparing an offer of five years and over $80 million to bring him back.
Still, despite the hefty contract, Dragic might not return.
Wade’s status is up in the air and his negotiations with the team – mostly through sources and vague hearsay – might be turning contentious. The face of the franchise for 12 seasons, Wade is believed to be seeking a three-year deal for much higher than Miami is willing to give him.
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Although the Heat have the best combination of factors for Wade (an established legacy, a chance at playoff success and money to appease him) that hasn’t stopped some from imagining him in a Lakers or Knicks – or possibly a Cavs – jersey next season.
Would Dragic be willing to stay with the Heat if Wade leaves? Chances are that’s not the case.
Wade’s departure would put an incredible amount of pressure on the players left on Miami’s roster and the team would suffer an incredible public-relations hit should he leave just one year after losing LeBron James to Cleveland. Dragic could be vilified by Heat fans as the man who’s salary demands forced Wade out of town.
Conversely, if Wade gets a huge contract offer from the Heat, he could command so much salary cap space that Dragic might feel shortchanged as a result. He’s gone on the record as listing Los Angeles and New York as enticing free agent destinations so he could go elsewhere and leave Miami with a glaring need at point guard.
Enter Brandon Knight, the Phoenix Suns restricted free agent and South Florida native.
His career has been inconsistent at best. Drafted by Detroit just four years ago, the front office felt justified including him in a sign-and-trade deal with Milwaukee for a player (Brandon Jennings) that has several inconsistencies of his own.
Knight seemed comfortable with the Bucks (particularly under the tutelage of head coach Jason Kidd) and he upped his production substantially from his failed stint in the Motor City.
He was then shipped in a multi-team trade to Phoenix, which had traded away two guards (Dragic and Isaiah Thomas) and had an obvious need to fill.
The inconsistencies didn’t wane with the Suns and Knight, struggling with injury, was shut down as Phoenix saw a playoff berth slip away as the season progressed.
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Still, the talent is there and the Suns want him back (even if some Phoenix fans don’t). But could he follow James’ path of “going home” and find a way to sign with Miami? As a restricted free agent, Phoenix can match any offer that Knight receives from another team.
Assuming Wade re-signs with the Heat but Dragic leaves, Knight would be an interesting option. The trick for Miami would be to offer just enough to put him out of the Suns’ comfort zone while not breaking the bank to do so. Wade thinks highly of Knight, as evidenced by his support for the former Buck to make the All-Star team last season.
But Miami gave up quite a lot to bring Dragic to the fold (including two future first-round draft picks) and losing him via free agency would be almost as devastating as losing Wade. Dragic is ultimately the best option for the Heat. Even as a quality backup plan, Knight might never bring the same value to the team as “The Dragon.”
It’s something to consider and, given Heat president Pat Riley‘s tendency to swing for the fences, certainly within the realm of possibility. But Heat fans are learning, as they did last year, that sometimes a bad swing could lead to an easy out.
Knight, still an unproven commodity at this point in his career, might just keep that trend going.
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