The Miami Heat are reportedly turning their attention to other free agent and trade options after missing out on signing LeBron James.<\/p>\n
The Heat’s “priority” is to acquire Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson<\/a> reported Saturday.<\/p>\n The franchise has talked to free agent guard Bradley Beal, according to Jackson. He added the Heat would prefer to acquire Thompson.<\/p>\n Miami has also spoken with free agent forward DeMar DeRozan, Jackson reported. According to Jackson, DeRozan is interested “but has other suitors.”<\/p>\n The Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers were considered frontrunners to sign James, per ESPN’s Shams Charania<\/a>, before he signed earlier this week with the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n Thompson is signed through the 2026-27 season at a $17.5 million cap hit, per Spotrac<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jackson and Anthony Chiang<\/a> reported earlier this month for the Herald the Heat had “interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not.”<\/p>\n The Heat would not be able to take on the entirety of Thompson’s contract without moving out some salary in a trade. The franchise currently has $10.4 million in room below the first luxury tax apron, at which it is hard-capped, per Spotrac<\/a>.<\/p>\n NBA insider Marc Stein<\/a> reported earlier this month the Mavericks would prefer a trade rather than a buyout for Thompson.<\/p>\n DeRozan hit free agency after being waived by the Sacramento Kings earlier this month.<\/p>\n ESPN<\/a> reported at the time contenders “including the leftover suitors that eventually strike out on their current pursuit of LeBron James” were expected to have interest in DeRozan.<\/p>\n ESPN’s Dave McMenamin<\/a> reported, however, the Lakers are “not considered a potential landing spot” for DeRozan. Stein later named<\/a> the Detroit Pistons as a possible suitor.<\/p>\n Beal hit free agency after declining his $5.6 million player option for next season with the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n