NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Miami Heat

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Wayne Ellington #2, Josh Richardson #0, Hassan Whiteside #21, James Johnson #16 and Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat walk on the court after a timeout against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wayne Ellington;Josh Richardson;Hassan Whiteside;James Johnson;Justise Winslow /

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(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington has been almost indispensable to Miami’s offense for two straight seasons. As shocking a statement as that may be, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration. Miami ranked 22nd in offensive rating last season and 17th in 2017. The Heat have frequently faced bouts of brickiness and offensive stagnancy in that span. The team has a mix of solid and erratic shooters, which makes Ellington the only true knockdown sniper on this team. Despite only starting 15 games in two seasons with the Heat, he played a critical role in opening a cramped floor for Miami. This guy shot nearly 40 percent on some of the most wild, contested 3-point attempts you’ll ever see. He’s deadly from out there.

Ellington gave the Heat offense more room to operate, particularly when he shared the floor with Kelly Olynyk last year. In a column back in March, Zach Lowe of ESPN detailed the funky chemistry that has developed between Ellington and Olynyk. Their game has become an exhibit in in the arts of screen setting and the dribble handoff. Aside from the pleasing aesthetics, these guys were the two best shooters on the team last year and unlocked some of Miami’s best offensive units. At the other end of the floor Ellington has improved, but he’s not a positive defender. I’m not sure that matters much on this Miami squad, which has so much defensive talent on the wing.

Because Miami has had Ellington for two seasons the team holds his early bird rights. That means that the Heat can offer him a salary that’s up to 175% of his previous $6.27 million salary figure. The team could likely outbid the market if to retain him if it has to. But if Ellington starts to get much more expensive than the $8 million mark Miami will have to seriously consider cutting him loose. The franchise’s tax bill will start ballooning if they bring him back at that level and can’t dump any bad contracts.

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