Discreet on the transfer market and Free Agency, the Heat is looking to strengthen itself in one way or another. The Miami franchise would have notably shown its interest in the Lauri Markkanen file…
The Jazz’s All-Star center is one of the big issues that remains to be resolved during this 2024 offseason.
About to enter the final year of his contract, Markkanen is theoretically eligible for a four-year, $113 million extension. An extension he won’t sign, knowing that he could earn much more in a year as a free agent. On the other hand, the Jazz can use their cap space this summer to renegotiate their current deal ($18 million per year in 2024-25) in order to offer him a big salary increase, and extend it in the process.
However, for now, nothing has come to light and rumors surrounding a potential transfer are intensifying. After the Warriors, the Spurs and the Kings, it is the Miami Heat who are showing interest in Lauri if we are to believe Zach Lowe ofESPN.
The Miami Heat are showing interest in Lauri Markkanen, per @ZachLowe_NBA pic.twitter.com/yQVgQjdejq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 5, 2024
Seeing several Eastern teams seriously strengthening this summer (Sixers, Knicks, etc.), the Heat is trying to make a big move so as not to find themselves left behind by the competition. Clearly, acquiring Lauri Markkanen – 23 points and 8 rebounds on average at 40% on 3-pointers – to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could make Miami a favorite in the East again. That’s in theory. In practice, the Heat may struggle to convince Danny Ainge to give up Goldilocks to Pat Riley.
Already, with $181 million in payroll, Miami is a “first apron” team, which makes the task a little more complicated when it comes to setting up trades (see below). Then, in terms of compensation, it is not certain that Miami has the resources necessary to acquire an All-Star level player in full prime (27 years old). Today, the Heat can only transfer a future first-round draft pick (in addition to this year’s first-round pick, Kel’el Ware) and three second-rounders. In terms of players that Miami can put in the balance, there is of course Tyler Herro (a regular in rumors), potentially Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. Could this interest Danny Ainge? Allow us to doubt it.
As is often the case, the Heat wants to position itself on the big issues. But as is often the case in recent years, this risks once again slipping through its fingers.
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Source texte : ESPN
Miami Offseason pic.twitter.com/rT5SY9bcdx
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 3, 2024
Rules of the apron
The apron restrictions are based on salaries post transaction. pic.twitter.com/8ErRGKFuT5
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 3, 2024
2024-07-05 15:54:00
#Heat #running
