NBA Rumors: Heat Interested In 9-Time All-Star But Only If LeBron James Plan Fails

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NBA Rumors: Heat Interested In 9-Time All-Star But Only If LeBron James Plan Fails

The Miami Heat appear to be one of three teams, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, that LeBron James is reportedly willing to sign with this offseason. If Miami is unable to land James, however, the franchise is reportedly expected to pursue a nine-time All-Star point guard as its backup plan.

Heat Interested In 9-Time All-Star If LeBron James Plan Fails​

Late Saturday night, Senior reporter at the New York Post, Stefan Bondy, revealed that it’s not just the organizations and NBA fans waiting for James to sign, but also one big-name free agent and future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

“According to a league source, Russell Westbrook is a candidate to join the Heat but not if LeBron signs in Miami,” Bondy wrote. “Westbrook, 37, is a diminished version of his former MVP self but still averaged 15.2 points over 64 games last season with the Kings.”

“James, meanwhile, is sifting through his options in free agency. Miami, Cleveland and Philadelphia are considered the front-runners,” he continued. “Westbrook and James were teammates with the Lakers for 1 ½ seasons and struggled, winning just 33 games and falling to 11th in the West in 2021-22.”

Westbrook remains one of the top available free agent point guards on the market. Simply put, it makes sense for Miami, a team desperately in need of ball-handling and shot creation, to target the 18-year veteran.

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While he’s no longer the perennial All-Star and MVP candidate he was with the Thunder, Westbrook can still be a valuable contributor for a championship contender.

Before playing for the Kings, he averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists off the bench for a 50-win Nuggets team. One season earlier, he posted 11.1 points and 4.5 assists while helping the Clippers win 51 games.

Now, depending on James’ decision, Westbrook could potentially join a Heat team with legitimate postseason expectations. Miami’s projected starting lineup features recently acquired two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, All-Star center Bam Adebayo, forward Andrew Wiggins, and guards Davion Mitchell and Tim Hardaway Jr.

Bobby Portis, as well, who was acquired in the Antetokounmpo blockbuster, should serve as a high-level sixth man in the frontcourt. The team’s current backcourt depth, on the other hand, remains extremely questionable.

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Behind Mitchell sit four-year guard Dru Smith and 2026 second-round pick Ryan Conwell. Meanwhile, behind Hardaway are 2024 second-round pick Pelle Larsson and 2023 undrafted free agent Myron Gardner.

While Smith, Larsson, and Gardner had their moments last season, the Heat could benefit from adding Westbrook as another reliable ball-handler and veteran presence in the locker room.

Westbrook signed a minimum contract with the Kings last offseason. One year later, he could be in line for a similar deal with the Heat if James decides to sign elsewhere.

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