[brid autoplay=”true” video=”816273″ player=”23231″ title=”Top%20NBA%20free%20agents%20of%202021″ duration=”53″ description=”Unlike last offseason, we’re going to see a ton of top end NBA free agents in 2021. Players like future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will likely opt out of their contracts and hit the open market.Meanwhile, there’s a large amount of talented youngsters set to become restricted free agents. That list includes Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins and Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans.” uploaddate=”2021-06-29″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/816273_t_1624987441.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/816273.mp4″]
The Miami Heat’s offseason plans have become more clear as the organization made a series of moves with their team options.
The Heat declined the team option of Andre Iguodala, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, they also exercised the team option of Goran Dragic, which makes him under contract next season at $19.44 million.
What will the market for Andre Iguodala look like?
Andre Iguodala will turn 38-years-old in 2022, but his defensive effort off Miami’s bench last season will still be attractive to a contending team that needs another veteran piece in the rotation.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are two teams that make the most sense, with the Lakers being linked to Iguodala on the eve of NBA free agency.
Iguodala spent six years with Golden State and was beloved in the locker room by his coaches and others. Both teams should be the favorites to land the services of the 17-year veteran.
It shouldn’t take much to sign Iguodala to a contract. A veteran’s minimum would make sense since the forward’s play has been declining over the last few seasons. Other playoff contenders will most likely try to sign him to this, too.
Last season, Iguodala averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.3% from the field in 21.3 minutes per game.
Does Goran Dragic’s future lie with the Miami Heat?
The Miami Heat accepted Goran Dragic’s $19.44 million team option on Sunday afternoon, but it doesn’t mean he will remain with the team throughout the offseason.
The Heat were previously reported to want Dragic back next season, but at a far lower price than his option. Most likely, they will use the 35-year-old’s contract as a salary filler in a deal.
Miami has been linked to Kyle Lowry ever since the trade deadline and this move by the organization could be a sign of things to come in the next few days. Lowry, 35, is the top free-agent point guard on the market.
Even if Dragic is traded to Toronto, don’t rule out a buyout that would send him into the free-agent market as well. Many contenders, such as the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, would be interested in signing him.
Dragic averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field in 26.7 minutes per game. He also was the team leader in points per game during the postseason in 2021.