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Miami Heat: 5 realistic free-agent targets this offseason

By Simon Smith

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: President Pat Riley of the Miami Heat addresses the media during the introductory press conference for Jimmy Butler at American Airlines Arena on September 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: President Pat Riley of the Miami Heat addresses the media during the introductory press conference for Jimmy Butler at American Airlines Arena on September 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Miami Heat (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat free-agent target 5. Doug McDermott, Indiana Pacers

Age: 29

2020-21 salary: $7.3 million

It was a career-best season for sharpshooter Doug McDermott, who just completed his third season with the Indiana Pacers, his fifth team over a seven-season span. Originally the No. 11 overall pick of the Chicago Bulls, McDermott also started a career-high 29 games, a significant change having come off the bench for all-bar 24 games through his opening six seasons in the league.

At 6’7″ and with a lightning quick trigger, McDermott averaged 13.6 points in just 24.5 minutes per game in 2020-21. Most notably, his 53.2 percent clip from the field was comfortably a career-high, while his 38.8 percent clip from long range was just below his career 40.7 percent return. One notable growth in McDermott’s offensive game has been the manner in which he’s diversified his scoring options. The following is McDermott’s returns when taking 3-6 dribbles during his past three seasons with the Pacers, per NBA Stats.

McDermott with 3-6 dribbles:

2018-19: 5-11 FG

2019-20: 2-12 FG

2020-21: 16-34 FG

Naturally, having the ability to put the ball on the floor and operate is only going to help his greatest strength, being his prowess from the perimeter. Last season, among the 16 players who had at least 100 hand-off possessions, McDermott ranked behind only Stephen Curry and Joe Harris with 1.10 points per possession. In terms of the way the Heat run their offense, McDermott appears to be a terrific fit.

Of course, acquiring a player such as McDermott, an unrestricted free agent, would be directly dependant on the status of Robinson. If Robinson is re-signed, McDermott would clearly not be an option due to his likely salary requirements. However if for some reason Robinson receives an offer the Heat don’t deem worthy to match, signing a veteran sniper such as McDermott, a former teammate of Jimmy Butler, to a short-term deal would make an enormous amount of sense.

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