The Heat still hope for Kyle Lowry to return.
The Chicago Bulls waived former Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic today, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Heat are not pursuing him.
At this point, there’s no Heat pursuit of Goran Dragic, per source. Dragic was waived by Bulls today. It would be difficult to see minutes for him here, with Lowry expected back soon and Vincent having several good nights as a starter. Heat roster at 15.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 28, 2023
In an article today, Jackson said that the “Heat could become more of a possibility for Dragic” if the Miami front office loses faith about Kyle Lowry’s return. The Heat just ruled out Lowry for Miami’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow with knee soreness, his 10th consecutive missed game.
NEW: Lowry to miss 10th game in a row with troublesome knee, with released Dragic now available. Insight on why Heat hasn’t pursued a point guard to this point, among Westbrook & others: https://t.co/OICTOTufmA
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 28, 2023
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. A year ago this month, Dragic was a free agent. After Miami traded Dragic and Precious Achiuwa to the Toronto Raptors for Lowry, the Raptors dealt Dragic at the deadline to the San Antonio Spurs, who waived him.
But the Heat held the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and Gabe Vincent emerged as a quality backup point guard. There didn’t seem to be a role for him in Miami. He signed with the Brooklyn Nets to wrap up last season.
This year, the Heat are facing a play-in tournament. Lowry’s play, which caused some consternation in his first year with Miami, has only drawn more groans from Heat fans after an injury-plagued playoffs and a pedestrian second season. (In the Heat’s season opener, Dragic made four 3-poniters while Lowry scored just two points.) Despite a strong performance in last night’s win over the Sixers, Vincent has regressed.
And yet, the Heat would need to release someone to make room for Dragic if Miami even had interest. The Heat have the maximum 15 players on standard contracts.