Miami Heat Free Agency News: Carlos Boozer And Lou Williams Could Land In South Beach

The Miami Heat could be in for another roster shakeup this summer.

The Heat lost LeBron James last year and there is a real possibility that Dwyane Wade, who has a player option, could leave South Beach this season. Wade reportedly wants to stay in Miami but he and the team are far apart on a contract extension. Pro Basketball Talk previously reported that Wade wants to be compensated with what he feels he is worth, but at the same time wants to make up for the numerous times he has taken less money to help the franchise.

Wade is said to want around $20 million a year while the Heat have offered him a three-year, $36 million contract — the contract breakdown is that Wade would receive $16 million next season and $10 million in each of the last two years. Wade is scheduled to earn $16.1 million if he does not become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Wade’s departure would be devastating for the franchise; however, losing Goran Dragic would hurt the team more in the long run according to Basketball Insiders. Dragic has already declined his player option and will test the free agent market. Luol Deng, who has a $10.15 million player option for next year, still hasn’t made a decision about his future, and Michael Beasley is an unrestricted free agent.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that two free agents that could end up in South Beach if the conditions are right are Carlos Boozer and Lou Williams.

Boozer, who has a home in Miami, spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 33-year-old veteran averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and shot 49.9 percent from the floor in 71 games.

Boozer would fit in with the Heat as he is an excellent rebounder and good scorer despite the fact that 44 percent of his shots are from mid-range out to the three-point line. Boozer is a liability on the defensive end, which could limit his options this offseason.

Jackson believes that Williams will contact the Heat when July 1 rolls around to test the team’s interest in the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Williams will be in high demand as he averaged a career-best 15.5 points in just 25.2 minutes of action for the Toronto Raptors.

RealGM is reporting that Williams could command a deal in the range of $8.5-to-$9 million a year depending on the length of the contract. Williams and the Raptors have reportedly expressed mutual interest in him remaining with the team, though he is expected to draw strong interest from several other teams — Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Money would be the problem for the Heat, according to Jackson, as Miami would only have exception money available unless Dragic, Wade, and/or Deng leave.