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Miami Heat: 3 reclamation free agents to target this summer

By Simon Smith

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Mario Hezonja

Age: 24

2018-19 salary: $6.5 million

Status: Unrestricted free agent

Selected just after Okafor in 2015 at pick No. 5, Hezonja has found himself in some difficult situations since entering the league. After going through three losing seasons with the Orlando Magic, Hezonja found himself part of a 17-win New York Knicks team last season.

While his circumstances aren’t the entire reason for his struggles, they certainly haven’t helped. At 6’8″ and with the ability to play a number of positions, Hezonja could be a terrific fit in this new era of position-less basketball.

https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1113631883525611521?s=20

Upon entering the league, the following is part of Hezonja’s scouting report from the highly reputable Draft Express:

"“Besides his physical attributes, the most appealing part of Hezonja’s game is his offensive skill-set….Combining supreme confidence with tremendous fluidity and coordination, Hezonja’s offensive game starts with his jump shooting ability both when spotting up and running off of screens within set plays. He shoots the ball with an effortless, high release point that will translate nicely to the NBA three-point line in time.”"

Some performances in the latter part of this past season certainly gave credence to the diversity of Hezonja’s skill-set. Despite possessing a career 1.3 assists per game rate, Hezonja started multiple games toward the end of the season at point guard. Such is his adaptability, Hezonja recorded 11 assists on the road against the Houston Rockets as part of the first triple-double of his four-year career.

While he’s certain to draw interest from several teams around the league, the Heat’s proven record of transforming the careers of previously highly rated prospects would help their case, should they decide to go down this line.

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