Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson has told associates that his preference is to remain with the Heat, a source tells Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link). Robinson is a restricted free agent and Miami wants to retain him, so he wouldn’t have had much leverage if he wanted to go to a new team, but the fact that he wants to return is good news for the Heat. They’ll be able to keep his small cap hold on their books while they address other free agent business before circling back to finalize a new deal with Robinson.
Here are a few more updates related to free agency:
- The Nuggets are unlikely to make any major splashes during free agency, as they’ll focus on re-signing their own free agents, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Singer views Will Barton and JaMychal Green as good bets to return to Denver, and suggests that one of Paul Millsap and JaVale McGee could be back too. If the Nuggets are only able to re-sign one of Green, Millsap, and McGee, they’ll shop for another big man on the open market, according to Singer, who notes that Green’s market is expected to be in the $7-9MM range — a previous report stated a $16MM-per-year deal is a possibility for Barton.
- The Timberwolves had discussions with forward Jarred Vanderbilt about a possible contract extension, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, but those talks went nowhere. Minnesota tendered Vanderbilt a qualifying offer, so the team will have the ability to match any offer he gets as a restricted free agent.
- Former fifth overall pick Mario Hezonja, who played for Panathinaikos in Greece last season, won’t be returning to the NBA this offseason. As Ennio Terrasi Borghesan of Sportando relays, Russian club UNICS Kazan has signed Hezonja to a one-year contract with an option for a second season.
I love that all the dominos seem to be falling into place for the Heat and no one else lol.. if we hear DeRozan wants in on Miami (like Jeff Green, Danny Green, and a couple others seem to have).. they could be building something big here.
Yeah don’t get your hopes up. DeRozan made $27m last year and had arguably his best year as a pro. He may love the idea of South Beach and hanging with his bff Lowry, but the chances of him taking a 2/3 pay cut and accepting an MLE offer (which is all Miami can offer) are about the same as me flapping my arms and flying to the moon.
They’re just glad to get anyone not named Victor Oladipo.
If I told you 2 years ago the Heat would get Jimmy Butler with zero cap room and have teams eat the contracts of Hassan Whiteside, Justice Winslow, Josh Richardson, and James Johnson.. would you believe me?
Shocked, Shocked I say that Mario Hezonja can’t get back in the league.