The Miami Heat have the No. 10 draft pick this season which could really help the team improve which is good because the team is dealing with contract and salary cap issues that could change up the roster in 2015. Players like Dwyane Wade have the option to opt out while Luol Deng could leave as well. There is also the issue of the max contract demand from Goran Dragic which has the Miami Heat making tough calls this offseason.
Deng has the option to opt out of his current contract or make $10 million next year with the Heat. That decision could greatly impact the rest of the offseason for Miami as other players need to be signed as well. According to the Palm Beach Post, Deng has been quiet regarding what he plans on doing in South Beach, but chances are good that he opts in on the money. That means the Heat will be pushed to the max especially if they meet Dragic's demands. The Heat would be left with just mid-level exceptions and a lot of luxury tax penalties.
Miami has been looking at size in free agency. The team has been linked to several names including Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez. The issue is that all of those players could end up being out of their price range should Deng return. The Miami Herald reports the Heat are in a similar position with Wade who has the option to earn $16.1 million next season. He could also opt out and try to sign a more team-friendly deal, but if the star wants the money, he simply opts in and strains the cap space even more.
The draft could be fruitful for the Heat with No. 10 pick. They could trade it or use it as Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports that Heat have been talking to several forwards during the NBA Scouting Combine. Kansas small forward Kelly Oubre, Kentucky's Devin Booker and Texas center Myles Turner have all been in talks with the Heat. With Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside in the front court, the Heat need to acquire help for the stars which might come in the draft.
