Miami Heat

Report: Carlos Boozer, Lou Williams could be interested in Heat

Published Jun. 18, 2015 1:07 p.m. ET

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Just because the saga of Dwyane Wade and his contract dispute with the Miami Heat is defining the offseason so far doesn't mean everything else has stopped in Miami. Draft preparations are kicking into high gear, and free agency is set to start shortly thereafter. And other than retaining their own free agents, the Heat need to figure out how to upgrade through both the draft and free agency if they want to get back to championship contention sooner than later.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, two potential free agency targets for Miami could be Carlos Boozer and Lou Williams -- if the price is right, and if circumstance allows.

On Williams, Jackson says that the Toronto Raptors sixth man is expected to reach out to the Heat, but Miami's own free agents could prevent adding Williams: "Williams (who ranked 15th in the league this season with 152 three-pointers) might be affordable only if two among Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade or Luol Deng leaves. Otherwise, the Heat would have only exception money ($5.5 million or $3.4 million, depending on whether it incurs a luxury tax)."

And the addition of Boozer isn't any more straight-forward, as it's contingent upon the big man being willing to take the minimum: "Boozer, who spends a lot of time in Miami, can still play as a backup (11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 49.9 percent from the field for the Lakers), but signing him makes sense only if Josh McRoberts or (less likely) Udonis Haslem is dealt."

There's also the question of fit with the Heat next season, as Miami is expected to pick up the pace, assuming the return of Goran Dragic. That wouldn't seem to be an issue for Williams, but it might not be the best use of Boozer's skill set.

(h/t Miami Herald)

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell/USA Today Sports