Heat has cap exception money to acquire a starter. Exploring wing options
Part 1 of a two-part series.
For the first time in years, the Heat should be able to use its largest salary cap exception without being in danger of surpassing the luxury tax line.
So what can Miami realistically get with its $15.1 million nontaxpayer mid-level exception? The free agent pool has far more wing players than big men who potentially could fall into that range.
And the Heat would be wise to target the best players from that group, to protect themselves in case Tyler Herro is traded or in case Norman Powell leaves (or is sent away) in free agency. Powell declined to give a yes or no answer last week when asked if he wants to remain with the Heat.
Here’s a look at potential wing options among unrestricted free agents:
Potential wing options with part or all of the $15.1 million midlevel
▪ CJ McCollum: His strong play for Atlanta — after coming over in the Trae Young trade with Washington — could trigger a multiyear offer from the Hawks, with an annual salary above midlevel money. That seems even more likely following his impressive 32-point outburst in Monday’s Game 2 win against the Knicks.
But if it doesn’t, he would be a logical target if Miami doesn’t re-sign Powell or trades Herro. McCollum, who earned $32 million this season, averaged 18.7 points on 37.5% three-point shooting in 76 games for the Hawks and Wizards this season.
▪ Ayo Dosunmo: To use one of Erik Spoelstra’s favorite words, he’s ignitable. And his size (6-4) is a plus.
If high-payroll Minnesota — which acquired him from Chicago in February — cannot afford to keep him, he could get a multiyear mid-level deal somewhere. The Heat could be well served by adding an athletic wing who averaged 14.8 points and shot 43.9% on threes in 69 games and 19 starts for the Bulls and Wolves. He could command more than the midlevel in a sign-and-trade.
▪ Tobias Harris: Like with McCollum, perhaps the Pistons give him a multiyear deal, though at 33 and with declining production, it’s difficult to see him making an annual salary on par with the $26 million he earned this season. And Detroit could opt to move on if the Pistons flame out in the playoffs.
If he falls through the free agent cracks, some team’s midlevel exception (or part of it) seems warranted for a player who averaged 13.3 points and shot 36.8% on threes.
▪ Anfernee Simons: If the Bulls opt to move on from the explosive and inconsistent scorer, he might need to settle for midlevel-type money. And despite the unevenness in his game, his shooting and scoring would be helpful in a world without Powell and/or Herro. He earned $25 million this season while averaging 14.3 points and shooting 38.5% on threes in 55 games for Boston and Chicago.
▪ Harrison Barnes: If Andrew Wiggins opts out of a Heat contract that would pay him $30.2 million next season, the 6-7 Barnes — who can play small forward or power forward — would be a decent option if the Spurs don’t give him multiyear money that’s not too far below the $18 million he earned this season. Barnes’ scoring average dropped to 9.9 this season on a talented roster, but he shot 38.8% on threes in 77 games and 52 starts.
▪ Coby White: The Hornets could try to keep him, and his career body of work suggests he likely will command more than the midlevel. This would be the ultimate value at the midlevel if the market dries up for him and if the Heat moves on from Powell or Herro or both. He averaged 17.4 points and shot 36.2% on threes in 50 combined games (26 starts) for the Bulls and Hornets.
▪ Quentin Grimes: The 76ers have salary cap issues and might not be able to accommodate Grimes’ market value. His scoring fell from 21.9 to 13.4 and three-point shooting from 37.3 to 33.4 in 19 starts and 75 games. He would be a helpful rotation player in a post-Powell or post-Herro world, but wouldn’t be my first choice.
▪ Kelly Oubre: After settling for a minimum deal two years ago, he could command something between a minimum and midlevel exception after averaging 14.1 points and five rebounds and shooting 36% on threes in 50 games and 41 starts for the 76ers this season. He would be worth considering as a small forward option (with Pelle Larsson) if Wiggins moves on.
▪ Kevin Huerter: His three-point shooting — his best NBA skill — has deserted him (30.8% for the season; compared to 37 entering the season) and that’s the worst thing that can happen to a shooter entering free agency. He averaged 10 points per game for Detroit and Chicago this season, but it’s difficult to justify an annual salary commensurate with the $16.2 million he’s earning this season.
Other options
▪ Others likely would who not command a full-level from the Heat but could become options for something less than that: Matisse Thybulle (excellent wing defender but limited offensively); Collin Sexton (no need for another small guard with Davion Mitchell under contract); Gabe Vincent (a return to the Heat seems unlikely); Khris Middleton (well past his prime); Cam Thomas (a 13.5 ppg scorer whose three-point shooting dipped to 31% this season) and Luke Kennard; Orlando Magic lottery disappointment Jett Howard and veteran point guards Aaron Holiday, Jevon Carter, Mike Conley, Cam Payne, Tyus Jones and Gary Payton II.
There’s also Josh Okogie (a decent 10th man), Keon Ellis (intriguing skill set); former Heat two-way player Jamal Cain (has raised his game for Orlando) and five other established veterans who played for the minimum this season — Russell Westbrook, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet.
FYI: The Suns figure to try to keep Collin Gillespie, who has blossomed this season.
The view here: If either Herro is traded/seems likely to be or if Miami bids farewell to free agent Powell, the Heat should offer the midlevel to one of the better free agents, perhaps Dosunmo or White or McCollum (though the Hawks figure to take care of him). It’s rare for the Heat to have the full nontaxpayer midlevel exception and Miami needs to be aggressive with it when free agency begins on the evening of June 30.
Coming Wednesday: A look at power rotation players who could command a part of the mid-level exception. (It’s not an impressive list.)
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 10:37 AM.
