{"id":339353,"date":"2026-07-14T07:18:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339353\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T07:18:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:18:49","slug":"miami-heat-pitched-to-add-24-year-old-former-23-ppg-scorer-next-to-giannis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339353\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Heat Pitched to Add 24-Year-Old Former 23 PPG Scorer Next to Giannis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Houston\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks participates in warmups prior to a game against the Houston Rockets at Fiserv Forum on November 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

As the Miami Heat<\/a> hang tight until LeBron James<\/a> makes a decision in free agency, there are available names on the market that could make a strong impact if signed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to reports, the Heat is holding off on additional roster moves until the team learns where James is headed next. For the Heat, hopefully that\u2019s Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Heat cracked open the summer floodgates by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> from the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> in a seismic trade last month. More recently, the franchise signed sharpshooting wingman Tim Hardaway Jr., the son of Heat legend Tim Sr. Miami has also been linked to unrestricted free agents like Bradley Beal<\/a> and DeMar DeRozan<\/a>, but until James makes a decision, those players will likely remain on the signing block.<\/p>\n

Miami Heat Receive Pitch to Sign High Upside Free Agent to Build Out the Roster Around Giannis Antetokounmpo\"New\"New<\/p>\n

GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA \u2013 JUNE 23: NBA<\/a> player Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Miami Heat attends agame between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 23, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.<\/p>\n

The Heat is all about assembling an elite supporting cast around Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP who looks to enter a promising new chapter with a new team. To maximize Antetokounmpo, the Heat must add talent and depth. According to Clutch Points, a potentially high impact signing<\/a> could be former Brooklyn Nets<\/a> star Cam Thomas<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Heat are still looking to strengthen their bench. Why not take a chance on Cam Thomas?\u201d Clutch Points wrote on X. \u201cHe\u2019s one of the best scorers still available. With Giannis and Bam leading the way, Miami just needs bench offense. Cam could be the perfect gamble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomas has had some good and not-so-good moments in the NBA. But when given the opportunity to play at his pace and rhythm, he has looked like a borderline All-Star.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He proved that over two seasons, from 2023 to 2025, where he averaged 23.3 points per game in 91 games for the Nets.<\/p>\n

While Thomas has had his fair share of inconsistencies and injury trouble, he might be a worthy gamble at a near minimum contract.<\/p>\n

Miami Treating 2026 Offseason as a Crucial One After Giannis Trade, Amid LeBron Wait\"2023\"2023<\/p>\n

GettySALT LAKE CITY, UTAH \u2013 FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, left, and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on prior to the 2023 NBA All Star Game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at Vivint Arena on February 19, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.<\/p>\n

The Heat\u2019s aggressive pursuit of Antetokounmpo demonstrated the franchise\u2019s desire to get back to title contention. After Jimmy Butler<\/a> \u2014 who was traded from the Heat to the Golden State Warriors<\/a> ahead of the 2025 trade deadline \u2014 led Miami to two NBA Finals and a couple of deep postseason runs, the Heat hasn\u2019t been much of a threat in the Eastern Conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As presently constituted, many would argue the Heat might be a contender in the East but not for the Larry O\u2019Brien trophy. That\u2019s where the addition of James \u2014 and a few more quality rotation pieces \u2014 could elevate the team into a higher tier.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Heat took a chance on Antetokounmpo understanding the wonderful potential. Antetokounmpo was open to Miami understanding the legacy potential. Can both sides work out something special together?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Antetokounmpo will turn 32 next season. He is at the apex of his career but won\u2019t be in his prime forever. Miami knows the time to win something big is now.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAdel Ahmad<\/a> Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks participates in warmups prior to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":339354,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[123,125,124],"class_list":["post-339353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=339353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339353\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/339354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=339353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=339353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=339353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}