Could the Miami Heat still find a starting power forward in free agency?

As the Miami Heat work on finalizing a trade for Damian Lillard, much of the league appears to be in a holding pattern, including some of the top still-available free agents.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Heat have been telling free agents with interest in joining the team that they are waiting for a resolution to Lillard’s situation before making additional signings.

The Heat have told free-agent players like Malik Beasley, who agreed to a one-year contract with Milwaukee on Monday, that Miami is in a holding pattern before moving forward with its veteran-minimum signings, sources said. Other players like Josh Christopher, recently traded from Houston to Memphis, and Dario Šarić, who had a strong suitor in Golden State, could also be involved with Miami depending on these Lillard proceedings, sources said.

Beasley, a 3-point specialist, would have made sense for the Heat, especially after losing Max Strus to Cleveland in free agency and the potential for Duncan Robinson to be included in a package that lands Lillard. Beasley, however, decided not to wait and signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s a tough loss for the Heat, but wouldn’t be as bad as missing out on a potential starting power forward in free agency.

Several free-agent targets who could start at power forward are waiting to see if the Miami Heat will trade for Damian Lillard before making a decision.

For now, it appears Dario Saric is being patient as the Heat and Portland Trail Blazers work to find a third team to help facilitate Lillard’s path to Miami. Saric, who spent much of the past two seasons rehabbing an ACL injury, finally appeared healthy when playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder at the end of last season.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, Saric was leaning toward joining the Golden State Warriors at the start of free agency but hasn’t signed. The Warriors, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors have been reluctant to give free agents a second-year player option, which could be why Saric hasn’t signed with Golden State. The Heat have been willing to give free agents that player option in the second year, as evidenced by their deal agreement with Thomas Bryant.

If the Heat are tabling a similar contract — and the promise of competing for a starting job — it makes sense why Saric would be willing to wait. At 6-foot-10, Saric would be an hand-in-glove fit in the front court next to Bam Adebayo. He can provide size, space the floor (career 36% 3-point shooter) and is a willing passer.

Fischer also reported that Christian Wood is another free agent league personnel believe is “on the Heat’s radar.” The 27-year-old’s skillset as a big man is tantalizing. At 6-foot-10, Wood is a productive rebounder and scorer who has made 38% of his 3s over the last four seasons on real volume. His size and floor-spacing ability would be an ideal addition to Miami’s starting lineup.

However, there’s a reason why Wood has played on seven teams in seven seasons. The concern with Wood comes on the defensive end, where his effort tends to wane. On offense, he tends to interrupt ball movement as a single-minded scorer.

If there’s a team that can coax more effort and teamwork out of Wood, it’s the Heat. He is still unsigned and could be another free agent waiting to see how the Lillard situation plays out.

If the Heat are able to land Lillard, Saric and Wood make a lot of sense as targets to fill out the starting lineup. But with no resolution seemingly in the near future, hopefully they are willing to remain patient.

• Published on 07/05/2023 at 16:23 PM
• Last updated at 07/05/2023 at 16:23 PM