Should the Miami Heat target Jerami Grant in free agency?
Coming off a magical run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, which resulted in a trip to the NBA Finals, there’s a good chance that the Miami Heat‘s roster looks a bit different when the 2021 season begins.
Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder, Meyers Leonard, and Derrick Jones are all free agents this offseason and there’s no guarantee any of them will be back with the team – though, there’s a safe bet Dragic will, considering how close he’s become with Jimmy Butler.
Nevertheless, there’s still plenty of unknown for this Heat roster heading into 2021. Add in the fact that the Heat wants to remain as financially flexible as possible heading into next offseason, it makes what Miami can do this offseason that much more complicated.
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With that said, the Heat still has some wiggle room this offseason. If they wanted to target an outside free agent, they’ll have to opportunity to. Especially if they can get one on a short-term deal, potentially one that will help the team keep its flexibility heading into the 2021 offseason.
One interesting and potentially ideal fit on this roster is Jerami Grant. Coming off the two best seasons of his career, Grant will be heading into the offseason as one of the most sought after wing free agents.
Grant is coming off an impressive run in the playoffs with the Denver Nuggets, in which he played a key part in the team’s dethroning of the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers. During the 2019-20 season, Grant averaged 12 points and four rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’s also one of the best and most versatile wing defenders in the league.
That might be the biggest draw for a team such as the Heat. The 6-foot-8 forward would be an ideal fit not only in the Heat’s culture but with what they do schematically on the defensive end. He can switch and guard multiple positions, which is a key part of the Heat’s success on the defensive end.
Grant has blossomed into an above-average 3-point shooter and could fill the role of a Jae Crowder in the Heat’s starting lineup, should Miami swap Grant for Crowder. Grant is younger and would be a greater investment than handing over Crowder a contract that Miami could end up regretting in a year or two.
The real question falls on two parts for the Heat and Grant. One, how much money is he going to command on the open market? Second, how long of a deal will he want?
Because of 2021, the Heat and Grant could find difficulty in coming to an agreement. Grant will likely want some financial security and the Heat will likely be seeking a shorter-term deal with any free agent they agree with.
However, if something changes on that front, there’s no question that Jerami Grant and the Miami Heat are a good fit for both parties.