The Miami Heat are still looking to add to an already-improved roster after acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo last month. They still have two open roster spots and are just over $10 million away from the first apron hard cap.
Nearly two weeks into free agency, the biggest fish, without question, is LeBron James, an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018.
While you could argue that James in Miami is a more seamless fit on the court than in Cleveland or Philadelphia, two of the other East teams rumored to have interest, the Heat have one big advantage over them that has nothing to do with basketball itself.
Heat can offer the most money for LeBron James:
Earlier this offseason, Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul made it clear that James’ free-agent decision will not be made solely for money. If that were the case, there’s no reason why he would have left Los Angeles because they owned his full bird rights.
This will be a decision purely made by happiness.
But it’s worth mentioning that the Heat can offer more money than any of the reported suitors.
As it stands right now, the Heat can offer up to $8.2 million of their mid-level exception ($8.9M left) and stay below the hard cap if they use just one more spot for a veteran minimum. To give themselves a little more leeway, it would be best to offer $7-$7.5 million of the MLE for James.
Still, that’s enough than anyone else can offer.
Cleveland is a second apron team, so they can only offer the minimum. The Warriors can’t offer more than that without making a corresponding move with Draymond Green declining his player option; Philadelphia is $3.4 million below the hard cap, so they can’t offer more than the minimum; Denver, Minnesota and New York are fighting their own financial demons.
Beyond that, James is a pretty clean fit offensively — where he’d be one of the best pure ballhandlers and passers — while being compensated for defensively alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
And he also has beautiful sunshine with plenty of golf courses to play at!
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Rich Paul is obviously lying about LeBron’s wishes. LeBron is 100% chasing a ring.
But why wait when we can sign Westbrook! #PonySeason