Miami Heat: Does Pat Riley have the right approach to 2021 offseason?

By Zamir Bueno | Jul 28, 2021

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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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

How the Miami Heat can get the most out of their offseason targets

Although these players can succeed in the role, the issue with potentially acquiring their services comes away from the court. Lowry is reportedly going to get between $25 and $30 million, per year, in free agency.

On the other hand, Bradley Beal is scheduled to make $34.5 million next year. If the Heat were going to acquire them, they would have to get more value out of those players to justify the acquisition. Therefore, they would have to accentuate the strengths of these players.

For instance, Lowry has thrived as a primary ball-handler since 2015. He has averaged 3.9 transition possessions per game, shooting 49.4 percent from the field on 2.7 attempts per game. The shooting percentage helped him average 4.2 points per game: 22.7 percent of his scoring output.

He complemented transition skills with pick and roll success as he averaged 5.6 pick and rolls per game since 2015. He shot 42.3 percent from the field on 4 attempts, creating 5.3 points: 28.6 percent of his scoring output.

Just like Lowry, Beal thrives as a primary ball-handler. Beal’s best statistical season happened during his last campaign, when he averaged 9.1 pick and rolls per game, shooting 47.8 percent from the field on 7.1 shots per game. The shooting percentage contributed to him averaging 8.8 points: 28.1 percent of his scoring output.

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