Miami Heat 2023 offseason primer: free agents, trades, draft needs, more

Miami Heat: Free agent targets

Thanks to the new CBA, the Heat will likely be without their tax-payer midlevel exception worth $5 million. Instead, they will be limited to minimum deals, which prevents them from making a big signing. Still, with eight free agents of their own, they will need to scour free agency to potentially replace some of their players. Here are some potential free-agent targets:

• Russell Westbrook
• Lonnie Walker

After rumors that he may not return to the Clippers next season and that he may be headed to the Eastern Conference, Miami could possibly convince Russell Westbrook to join the Heat. That would mean that he would have to take a pay cut, but the Heat were once considered the frontrunners to land him before he joined the Clippers. After his strong play with the Clippers, perhaps Miami will circle back around to gauge his interest.

Walker had a strong start to this past season with the Los Angeles Lakers before falling out of their rotation following an injury. He later helped them win a playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies en route to their upset series victory.

Walker isn’t a perfect fit since he is a streaky shooter, settles for jumpers, and is an inconsistent defender. Even then, he is obviously talented, has elite athleticism, and has shown enough to warrant some consideration from the Heat if available for the minimum.