The Miami Heat lost LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they are in position to make moves in free agency, as Luol Deng is close to a contract, while Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are also back in the fold for Pat Riley and this comes as Deng is getting heavy interest from other teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns.
Deng is one of the top names on the free agent market and now that James is back with the Cavaliers in Cleveland, Miami has more money to spend. According to ESPN.com, the team is bringing back Bosh on a five year deal worth the max money, while Wade is likely signing a deal in the next week to return. The Big 3 are split, but now two remain in Miami and now Deng could be in the fold as well after averaging 16 points and nearly six rebounds last season for the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Deng is a top target for a number of teams now that James is back to Cleveland and it looks like Miami is the team that is in the front runner position. The Heat met with Deng earlier in the offseason before James left and now they have the chance to offer him more money, with Yahoo Sports reporting that a two year deal worth $20 million is being worked out. Miami is battling with Atlanta and also Dallas to sign Deng and the 29 year old could be the centerpiece signing along with Bosh for the Heat.
Deng is a strong defender and a good player on both sides of the floor and after keeping Bosh and securing Wade back, the team feels that it still can compete in the east. Deng turned down a three year deal worth $30 million from the Bulls and he likely could get more money from a team like Phoenix, but he may be more interested in playing for the Heat. Isaiah Thomas is heading to Phoenix and that could keep Deng in Miami, but the team has plenty of cap space and could come at him with a better deal.
James is now in Cleveland and they will be a tough team in the east, but they are not championship caliber yet and could add Kevin Love as well. Miami now is trying to build things back after James left and adding Deng could be great with Bosh up front and if Wade can stay healthy Miami should still be strong. The team already signed Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts and now they are adding more around those players.
