Miami Heat: 5 potential free agency targets in 2017
By Frank Urbina
5. Joe Ingles, SF
The Heat can employ one of two strategies this offseason: Try to land a “whale” or bring back the present core, with the additions of Bam Adebayo and a healthy Justise Winslow, to try and build on the team that won 30 of its final 41 games.
Even if Riley does go the latter route, he should still have cap room to add another role player or two. One perfect candidate to help fill out his roster is Utah Jazz wing Joe Ingles.
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The 29-year-old Australian had the best season of his career in 2016-17, averaging 7.1 points, 3.2 boards, 2.7 assists and 1.5 threes per game on .452/.441/.735 shooting splits. His raw numbers may not jump off the page, but he’s an advanced metrics darling.
On the year, Ingles finished with higher win shares (5.0) than Carmelo Anthony, Brook Lopez or Kristaps Porzingis, while having the 11th-highest Value Over Replacement Player (2.3) among small forwards.
Does that mean he’s better than the players he finished above of? No, but it does mean he’s a highly valuable contributor, despite his somewhat mundane raw averages.
Even after bringing back Waiters and Johnson, Miami still needs more depth on the wing. Ingles is 6’8″, an elite three-point shooter and an exceptionally underrated defender. He would be the perfect fit for Riley and co.
One caveat though: He’s a restricted free agent, meaning Utah could match any potential offer for the sharpshooting Australian wing.