The Miami Heat are one of the few contenders still looking to add to their roster before training camp. But one person close to the league believes they should be extremely careful when it comes to the veteran free-agent market.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo now leading the charge in Miami, the Heat have been linked with several experienced names, including Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, D’Angelo Russell and Nick Richards.
Speaking anonymously to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, an NBA scout highlighted why many of these players come with major risks.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the scout’s strong stance against adding Russell Westbrook.
“I wouldn’t touch him in a million years ou can’t rely on him in terms of what’s going to happen. Yeah, he’ll have, you know, great games. Sure. But he can’t shoot. He plays his own way. He’s not going to fit into a system. He doesn’t really defend. “I mean, yeah, he’ll put up some numbers, and he’ll win you some games. In terms of truly building a winning team, you don’t get him on your team.”
Westbrook is currently a free agent after averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range for the Sacramento Kings last season.
But despite those numbers, the scout believes the former MVP would not fit Miami’s championship system. Westbrook has continued to produce numbers throughout his career, but there have been major doubts about whether he can still help a legitimate championship contender.
The former MVP has also been linked with a move outside the NBA, with the Houston Rockets being the only reported suitor.
The scout offered a more balanced evaluation of Klay Thompson.
“He’s not the defender he used to be. He can’t create his own shot, but he can still make shots. I mean, on a given night, he’ll get you 17 points, maybe. I don’t think it’s going to be as regular, but I don’t think you should have high expectations. But he’s not through completely. You don’t stick a fork in him yet.”
Thompson is coming off the worst statistical season of his career, averaging career lows of 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. The 36-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Dallas Mavericks and is set to earn approximately $17.5 million.
There have been reports that the Heat could first explore a trade before waiting to see whether Thompson reaches a buyout agreement with Dallas. If he does become available, he is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. While Thompson is no longer the elite two-way player he was with the Golden State Warriors, he remains one of the NBA’s best perimeter shooters.
DeMar DeRozan received a much more favorable evaluation, although the scout still questioned his fit in Miami.
“Well, he’s got more left than Klay. But stylistically is the problem. He’s got to come off the bench — and he’s never come off the bench in his entire career (12 total times, all as a rookie in 2009-10). With him, Bam and Giannis, there would be no spacing. And he’s ball dominant.”
“But if he could accept the role as a six-man type, he would bolster their bench and maybe finish games, too, I guess. No doubt, he can do that, as a finisher. Yeah, you could go to him. I think he’s still got some go-to ability. I mean, he’s not going to defend. When he was with San Antonio, he did start to pass the ball a little. But that’s not why you have him. That’s not his strength. But as a sixth man, considering the other options, he’s a cut above Thompson, for sure.”
After being bought out by the Sacramento Kings, DeRozan enters free agency after averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and 32.0% from three-point range and is attracting major interest.
The scout believes DeRozan has more left in the tank than Thompson.
However, he also pointed to potential roster-construction issues, with both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo doing much of their work inside the arc. Adding another ball-dominant mid-range scorer could create spacing concerns. The scout believes DeRozan could thrive in Miami if he accepted a sixth-man role.
Bradley Beal was described as the biggest wild card. The scout called Beal ‘a total crapshoot.’
“He played, what, six games? I mean, if he’s healthy, he’s probably got something. But that, to me, is just a total crapshoot. Could he bounce back? He could. But it’s less probable than not. He was good two years ago with the Suns. But if you’re signing him and having to get something, there are other options I’d think they might look at first. I’m not sure there is much competition.”
After appearing in just six games for the Los Angeles Clippers before undergoing surgery, Beal declined his player option and entered free agency. He averaged 8.2 points while shooting 37.5% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.
Among the veteran guards, the scout was actually more optimistic about D’Angelo Russell.
“He’s still good, I mean, it’s an interesting one. He’s just worn out his welcome everywhere. He lures you with his talent, to a point. He’s got some point-guard ability. He can score and pass. He can dribble, pass and shoot. He can get his own shot. He’s always been a good passer. “He’s not very good defensively. I would rather have him than Beal; I’d rather have him than Westbrook.”
Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 26 games for the Dallas Mavericks before eventually landing with the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a multi-team trade. His future remains uncertain, with a buyout, trade or waiver scenario all reportedly possible.
Finally, the scout discussed Nick Richards, who became a free agent after spending time with the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.
“I sort of like him more than others He’s a good third center. I just don’t think on a seriously winning team that he’s your backup. He can rebound some. He doesn’t have a face-up game. He can run, he can score inside. He’s always been like a high-percentage guy, a dunker-spot kind of guy. ‘But he’s not very good defensively. He’s not really a rim protector. I’d said he’s a 2 1/2 backup center, not strictly a number three, but might not be good enough as your primary backup.”
Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field. The scout views Richards as a valuable backup center, but not necessarily the ideal fit behind Bam Adebayo.
As the Heat continue searching for roster upgrades, the scout’s comments suggest that experience alone will not solve the team’s issues. Veterans such as Thompson and DeRozan still offer offensive value, but concerns about declining athleticism, defensive limitations, and overall fit make them far from perfect additions.
If the Heat want to maximize Giannis’ championship window, they will need to be careful not to chase big names and instead focus on finding the right pieces for the roster.