The Miami Heat have turned their attention to free agent forward DeMar DeRozan and guard Bradley Beal after missing out on LeBron James, who agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Front-office executives had spent weeks pursuing James to pair him with newly acquired forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and center Bam Adebayo.
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However, James' decision prompted Miami to explore secondary options across the market.
Heat Pursue DeRozan, Beal
Team officials held preliminary conversations with representatives for DeRozan, who became an unrestricted free agent after being waived by the Sacramento Kings.
Rival personnel view Miami as a primary contender for both DeRozan and Beal, though internal debates persist over roster fit and spacing.
Acquiring Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson remains an organizational preference if he becomes available via buyout or trade.
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Dallas prefers a trade over a buyout for Thompson, who is owed $17.5 million in the final year of his contract.
Financially, Miami operates under a $209 million hard cap and maintains $10.4 million below the first luxury tax apron, leaving approximately $8 million in exception money.
Retaining that flexibility could be required if the franchise pursues a buyout agreement or trade scenario for Thompson.
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points on 49.7% shooting across 77 starts for Sacramento last season.
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Beal entered free agency after declining his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers following an injury-shortened campaign.
