NBA Rumors: Heat Offer ‘No Assurances’ to 6-Time All-Star As Backup Plan if They Miss Out on LeBron James

Just because it’s been quiet on the news front doesn’t mean NBA rumors have stopped spreading. Sure, teams like the Miami Heat are likely waiting on LeBron James’ free-agency decision before finalizing other plans. Still, at some point, push comes to shove, and teams will have to start lining up other moves, even if they aren’t quite ready to execute them yet.

Teams also have to be prepared to pivot quickly. While the NBA’s all-time scoring leader may be worth the wait, whichever squads don’t land him could suddenly feel like fools for not pressing forward with their offseason plans long ago while other teams were waiting on the 41-year-old.

Heat Keeping Cool on DeMar DeRozan

If the Heat are informed, either directly by James’ agent Rich Paul or by discovering through social media that he won’t be signing with them, then what? Where will Miami president Pat Riley turn next?

Some have speculated that the franchise could try to snag six-time All-Star wing DeMar DeRozan on the free-agent market.

However, on Tuesday, The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported that the Heat haven’t given DeRozan or his agent any “assurances” that he’s their backup plan if their James pursuit flops.

“And though at least some Heat interest in DeRozan would be expected if James bypasses the Heat, Miami as of Monday had made no assurances to DeRozan and hasn’t told him if he will be pursued if James doesn’t join Miami, according to a source,” Jackson reported.

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The Heat could be keeping players in the dark, almost out of fear of their plans leaking. The last thing they would want is to be ruled out of the James free-agency sweepstakes because it appeared that they were preparing for a future without him.

Or, maybe Miami truly isn’t interested in DeRozan, a three-time All-NBA selectee. The 36-year-old averaged 31.2 minutes per game last season, his lowest figure since his rookie season. Yet, he also started in 77 games, marking his fifth consecutive season with 74-plus starts. Despite his advanced age, durability has not been a point of concern.

Plus, the Heat may prioritize adding more outside shooting after trading sharpshooting guard Tyler Herro and hitching their cart to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Antetokounmpo has sunk just 28.5% of his shots from long distance in his career, and Adebayo hasn’t fared much better at 31.6%.

DeRozan’s career 30.2% 3-point accuracy wouldn’t necessarily be an ideal fit with Miami’s current lineup, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t help get buckets in the midrange if that’s what coach Erik Spoelstra is seeking. Still, there’s been no indication of Miami’s concrete interest in DeRozan thus far.