NBA Rumors: Heat, Pacers intersted in Monta Ellis
By Josh Hill
Monta Ellis has opted out of this deal with the Dallas Mavericks, and both the Heat and Pacers seem ready to pick up the tab for next season.
Next: 5 Destinations for Monta Ellis
The NBA Draft is going to give teams at the bottom of the standings some hope for the future, but for contenders who are hoping to get back into the thick of things in 2015-16, free agency is where the offseason will be won or lost.
Monte Ellis opting out of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday is a new factor in an already interesting free agency field, and teams are taking immediate notice.
According to Chris Broussard from ESPN.com, the Pacers and Heat have interest in signing Monta Ellis this summer.
Source: Monta Ellis will not opt-in to the final yr of his contract & will thus become a free agent this summer. Indiana & Miami interested
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 24, 2015
The Heat are a little but more of a tricky situation than what the Pacers are dealing with. There’s an obvious need in both markets for Ellis, but Miami’s situation hinges on what happens to Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic. There isn’t a whole lot of cap space to spare, but if Wade exits South Beach, Ellis is a natural replacement with a lot more longevity than Wade has.
Indiana has been looking for a replacement for Lance Stephenson — one who won’t become a basket case and run himself out of town. Ellis fills a void there as well, but the question is will Indiana pay him what he wants?
Both teams are fits for Ellis, but there are other options out there like New York, Boston and Charlotte who could be in play for the guard when it comes down to getting the bidding started.