NBA Free Agency: 5 top targets for Miami Heat
By Tom West
2. Sign Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams could be a major benefactor of the rising cap this summer. He had a career year and shot better than ever from three-point range at 40.2 percent. As a combo forward who can play easily between both spots to provide perimeter shooting, rebounding, energy, and defense of multiple positions, he would be an ideal addition to the Heat.
Along with Luol Deng’s free agency and the need to find improved three-point shooting, Williams makes sense for the Heat to look into.
The problem, as is the case for several contenders trying to improve such as the Heat and Clippers, comes down to money. ESPN’s Zach Lowe has made some estimations as to what certain players could make in free agency with the salary cap boom, and Williams could be in store for a major raise from his $7 million last season:
"He’s 30, coming off a career year, and he brings a positional versatility that could help any team. It would not be preposterous for someone to offer him a two-year, $38 million deal. (Seriously, get ready, everyone.) But if Williams hungers for more guaranteed cash, which team will bend and offer something like (gulp) three years and $50 million?"
As a diverse player that fits the typical NBA 3-and-D profile well, possessing the ability to play and guard multiple positions, Williams stepped up with one of the league’s most sought after skill sets at just the right time. Whether or not that will make him quite as expensive as Lowe suggested, though, is yet to be seen.
If the Durant dream goes out of the window and a few other roster alterations are made, the Heat might as well try their luck with Williams to see if he either takes less money or they can create room.
Next: A backup option