Miami Heat: 3 realistic free agent targets to help reach the next level in 2021

Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
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NBA Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Milwaukee Bucks Wesley Matthews (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Miami Heat free-agent target: Wes Matthews

Despite their success which led them all the way to the NBA Finals last season, the Miami Heat had holes on the roster. Especially on the defensive side of the ball, particularly when it came to defending opposing team’s point of attach.

We saw that in their struggles against both the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. If the Heat are going to remain in contention in the East, they’re going to need another defender in the backcourt. Wes Matthews could be the answer to their struggles. Matthews has already been linked to the Heat and is close with Jimmy Butler, partly due to their Marquette connection.

If the Heat can add Matthews, he could be used a number of different ways and could open the team to play more three-guard lineups without giving much on the defensive end of the floor.

Matthews likely won’t cost as much as, say, a Danilo Gallinari but could be a player that brings a bigger impact to the team. Plus, Wes Matthews just feels like a Heat culture player. He’d be a great fit to this roster.