A Miami Heat insider gives the bad news about a fan favorite’s return.
Even though it would thrill Heat supporters, there is still little likelihood that point guard Goran Dragic and the team will reunite in Miami, especially after the team brought Josh Richardson back this summer. In fact, there’s a better possibility Miami will consider former all-star point guard
John Wall rather than Dragic if they decide against using their 14th and probably last roster space to sign a developmental player.
Longtime Heat beat writer Ira Winderman confirmed this in response to a mailbag inquiry on Dragic. It’s important to note that Dragic is a 37-year-old point guard, and the Heat already have one of those on hand.
Josh Richardson seems to be starting as Kyle Lowry’s point guard for the time being, according to Winderman. “And if Kyle doesn’t start, I don’t think a club can use both of Lowry and Dragic, two 37-year-old point guards, as reserves. Now, it would shift to calculus if Lowry is dealt. In the short term, then, your best bet could be to play the waiting game instead of moving to Goran. And even then, John Wall is still active if the Heat decide to pursue experience.
Wall would make an intriguing, if unusual, addition to the Heat. Although he is an excellent ballhandler who formerly relied on speed to propel his play, he has had difficulty getting back to his previous level since undergoing Achilles tendon surgery in 2019.
Wall played 40 games with Houston in 2020–21, 34 with the Clippers last season, and sat out the entirety of the previous four seasons. While he still has some lead-guard ability, he averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 assists in 22.2 minutes. However, he is a terrible shooter (30.3% from 3-point range) and defender, which makes him a strange match for the Heat, who place a premium on versatility.
As part of the Eric Gordon trade, Wall was dealt by the Clippers at the trade deadline, and nobody acquired him.
If the Heat can work out a deal for Lowry, Dragic might join the team, but Miami isn’t eager to
dump Lowry just to get rid of him—that would cost them a young player or draft pick. A deal may be made if a top player could be signed who would fit in with the current roster and Lowry’s salary could be matched. However, such situation hasn’t yet materialised.
For the next two weeks, anticipate that the Heat will remain the same. Three two-way players are available for them: R.J. Smith, Jamal Cain, and Dru Smith.
