'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Miami Heat hoped to provide Dwayne Wade with a playoff sendoff ahead of his retirement, but despite playing in a historically weak Eastern Conference, the Heat could only finish the season with a 39-43 record. This was only enough to finish 10th in the East standings, and the Heat have now won just one playoff game in the past three years.
The organization has been in constant decline since LeBron James left back in 2014, and president Pat Riley may now finally overhaul an underperforming roster due to Wade's retirement. So, ahead of a pivotal summer, here are three players that could join the Heat.
#3 Chris Paul
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that the Houston Rockets were open to trading their entire roster due to their repeated failure to beat the Golden State Warriors. Despite turning 34 earlier this year, Chris Paul still has three year's remaining on his four-year, $160 million contract and his departure would come as a major relief to the Rockets.
While some experts have suggested that the Rockets will find it impossible to move Paul, Sean Deveney of Sporting News believes that the Miami Heat may be interested in acquiring the former All-Star:
For Houston, the issue is that the team would like to get assets back that can keep the team in contention and continue to maximize James Harden's prime years. That is just not going to happen with a contract like Paul's, though. Charlotte and Miami are among the teams that could be interested in Paul.
During the 18-19 season, CP3 averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 assists per game, shooting 42% from the field.
#2 Justin Holiday
Justin Holiday was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies back in January, although the 30-year-old struggled to make much of an impact in his 44 appearances. Holiday averaged just 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and due to his stock taking a major hit over the past 18 months, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes the Heat could get Holiday on a cheap deal:
Miami won't be playing much of a role in free agency. Staying out the luxury tax will be a chore on its own, and Riley's designs on signing two stars in 2020 preclude the Heat from making sizable commitments.
Justin Holiday fits within those confines. His stock mostly imploded this season after a hot start, but Miami needs to hoard wings if Justise Winslow is going to monopolize point guard responsibilities.
Holiday earned $4.4 million for the 18-19 season, although he may be available on a one-year minimum deal this summer.
#1 Danilo Gallinari
The LA Clippers are expected to pursue two max free agents this summer, but the team will first need to offload a number of their existing high earners. Among them is Danilo Gallinari, and Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel believes Miami could be a potential trade partner:
Any possibility of the Los Angeles Clippers clearing cap space for two major free-agent additions requires a trade of Gallinari into space. While that might be so easy with one year at $22.6 million due to Gallinari for next season, taking on smaller deals from the Heat, perhaps even Goran Dragic's contract could make it easier for the Clippers.
During the 18-19 season, Gallinari averaged career highs in points (19.1) and rebounds (6.1). He also performed well during the playoffs as the Clippers eventually succumbed to a 4-2 series defeat to the Golden State Warriors.
