IN THE LANE VALUEADDED:

As part of his evaluations of the upcoming free-agency class, former Memphis Grizzlies Vice President JohnHollinger devised a formula that placed dollar figures on each player’sworth in this offseason’s process. The values for the Heat’s free agents were particularly intriguing. With Goran Dragic, for example, the figurewas $11 .6 million

for2020-21. As amatterofperspective, Dragic earned $19.2 million this past season on the final year of the five-year, $85 million contract he signed with the Heat in the 2015 offseason. The assumption has been that the Heat will attempt to entice Dragic into a oneyear deal this offseason, in a similar range to last season’s salary. As for free-agent forward JaeCrowder, Hollinger’s valuation for his 2020-21 salary is $10.5 million, or just above the midlevel exception. Crowder earned $7.8 million this past season on the final year of the five-year, $35 million contract he signed with the Celtics in the 2015 offseason. Getting those two at anything close to Hollinger’s valuationswould leave the Heat with significant roomunder the luxury tax to possibly add a rotation free agent at the midlevel exception. As for free agent Derrick Jones Jr., Hollinger’s2020-21 valuation is $14 million. Such a figure likelywould lead the Heat tomove on fromthe athletic forward.

OVERVALUED: And then there is Hollinger’s valuation of formerHeat center Hassan Whiteside, with a free-agency valuation of $17.2 million. Hollinger, though, does note,“His defensive disinterest and stat-seeking reputation make him less popular in front offices. I’m guessing some center-needy team(Charlotte? Detroit?) finds enough change under the cushions to pay him in the $15 million ballpark for a year or two.” Whiteside is coming offthe four-year, $98 million contract he signed with the Heat during the opening hours of 2016 free agency. He earned $27.1 million this past season with the PortlandTrail Blazers, after the Heat traded him in July 2019 forMeyers Leonard in the cap machinations that cleared the signing space for JimmyButler.

THEBEALDEAL: As the NBAmoves toward the end of the personnel moratorium invoked due to the pandemic, speculation again is increasing regarding potential Heat target Bradley Beal. That has hadWashington Wizards general managerTommy Sheppard playing defense, especially with the high-scoring guard indicating a potential desire tomove on to a contender.“Brad absolutely has been committed to us,” Sheppard toldWashington’s 106.7 The Fan.“Last summer, he signed an extension with us. I thinkwe’re absolutely committed to him. The biggest thingwe ask for each other is,‘Hey, let’s go win.’ He and I have been a straight line of communication throughout the offseason.” As always with the Wizards, it again could comedownto making itwork with Beal alongside JohnWall. THECHEESECOURSE: Give formerHeat guard DionWaiters credit— he’s living his best championship life after going through the playoffs on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster. That nowhas him as the primary investor in Miami-based esports and lifestyle brand Centric Gaming. Of the investment, Waiters told Esports Insider,“Esports has always been a healthy escape for me, and it is something I can seemyself being a part of for a long time. I’m bringing that Champ Cheese Swag to esports.” Waiters, who has coined himself“Philly Cheese” because of his Philadelphia roots, long has been a presence on Fortnite streams, which is the primary focus of Centric.

THEWILDCATFACTOR: With the Heat’s TylerHerro, BamAdebayo and Lakers Anthony Davis at center stage during the NBAFinals, andDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray emerging as a postseason revelation, University ofKentucky assistant coach Jai Lucas, the former University of Florida guardwho spent time playing for the Heat’sGLeague affiliate in

2013, saidtheNBA’s Disney bubble arguably served as the ultimate recruiting tool for John Calipari.“It’s been huge,” Lucas said on a Zoommedia session.“I think with the bubble, it’s the one thing that can really put spotlight on us here at Kentucky. It’s just the production rate ofwhen they get there and howearly they are able to perform. Alot of that comes from being here for that year. With the environment they’re put in, the coaching, howCoach Cal coaches them and just everything they’re put through, it really prepares you for that, and when you get there, you’re able to perform.”

NUMBER

27: Years since Florida State had two players selected in the first round of the NBAdraft ( DougEdwards at No. 15 and SamCassell at No. 24 in 1993). The Seminoles are expected to have two selected in the opening round on Nov. 18, for just the second time in program history: DevinVassell and PatrickWilliams.