Lowry, Deng linked to Heat early in NBA free agency
By Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun Sentinel
10:24 a.m. EDT, July 1, 2014
If NBA free agency is about prioritizing, then put Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng near the top of the Miami Heat's wish list.
Whether Heat President Pat Riley has the means to close such deals is another story.
With the stroke of midnight and the start of the free-agency negotiating period, the Heat were among the first teams to express interest in that duo, also making interest known to several other free agents, according to numerous media reports.
In addition to Lowry and Deng, reports, often fueled by agents seeking to increase the market for their players, also linked the Heat to free-agent interest in Utah Jazz forward Marvin Williams, Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter, Mavericks forward Shawn Marion, Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Caron Butler and Golden State Warriors guard Steve Blake.
The Heat also reportedly expressed interest in Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas, who is a restricted free agent, with Sacramento retaining the right to match outside offers.
The Heat to this point have not shown up on Carmelo Anthony's itinerary.
As for the Heat's stars, they're apparently letting Riley handle the work for them while they get away, with forward Chris Bosh on an extended break, with a trip that features a stop in Ghana, and forward LeBron James planning a trip to Brazil after the July 10 free-agency signing day to attend the World Cup championship game. James is then scheduled for a trip to China, indicating expectations of a swift resolution to his free agency.
Bosh, James and Wade met last week in Miami to discuss their free-agency approach, with their salary scale apparently forwarded to Riley. Each invoked an early-termination clause in their contract to provide the Heat greater flexibility for a makeover, among other reasons.
None of the Heat's stars have been linked to outside visits.
The Heat are not in position to offer a maximum contract should their Big Three, as expected, return, but do have a variety of options to offer smaller deals to players intrigued with playing for a team that has advanced to the past four NBA Finals and won championships in 2012 and '13.
The Heat have taken an approach of subtle additions to their core in recent years, adding Shane Battier in the 2011 offseason, Ray Allen in the 2012 offseason and Michael Beasley and Greg Oden last offseason. This, however, is the first time they have operated with cap space since James, Wade and Bosh signed to play together in South Florida in July 2010.
While free-agent contracts cannot be finalized until July 10, most leading free agents have deals in place well ahead of the annual signing date.
By Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun Sentinel
10:24 a.m. EDT, July 1, 2014
If NBA free agency is about prioritizing, then put Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng near the top of the Miami Heat's wish list.
Whether Heat President Pat Riley has the means to close such deals is another story.
With the stroke of midnight and the start of the free-agency negotiating period, the Heat were among the first teams to express interest in that duo, also making interest known to several other free agents, according to numerous media reports.
In addition to Lowry and Deng, reports, often fueled by agents seeking to increase the market for their players, also linked the Heat to free-agent interest in Utah Jazz forward Marvin Williams, Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter, Mavericks forward Shawn Marion, Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Caron Butler and Golden State Warriors guard Steve Blake.
The Heat also reportedly expressed interest in Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas, who is a restricted free agent, with Sacramento retaining the right to match outside offers.
The Heat to this point have not shown up on Carmelo Anthony's itinerary.
As for the Heat's stars, they're apparently letting Riley handle the work for them while they get away, with forward Chris Bosh on an extended break, with a trip that features a stop in Ghana, and forward LeBron James planning a trip to Brazil after the July 10 free-agency signing day to attend the World Cup championship game. James is then scheduled for a trip to China, indicating expectations of a swift resolution to his free agency.
Bosh, James and Wade met last week in Miami to discuss their free-agency approach, with their salary scale apparently forwarded to Riley. Each invoked an early-termination clause in their contract to provide the Heat greater flexibility for a makeover, among other reasons.
None of the Heat's stars have been linked to outside visits.
The Heat are not in position to offer a maximum contract should their Big Three, as expected, return, but do have a variety of options to offer smaller deals to players intrigued with playing for a team that has advanced to the past four NBA Finals and won championships in 2012 and '13.
The Heat have taken an approach of subtle additions to their core in recent years, adding Shane Battier in the 2011 offseason, Ray Allen in the 2012 offseason and Michael Beasley and Greg Oden last offseason. This, however, is the first time they have operated with cap space since James, Wade and Bosh signed to play together in South Florida in July 2010.
While free-agent contracts cannot be finalized until July 10, most leading free agents have deals in place well ahead of the annual signing date.
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