Top 10 NBA free agents: Who is the Miami Heat interested in?

The seven-time All-Star is expected be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents in league history and the Heat are one of the many teams expected to make a serious run at him. Durant would immediately improve the Heat’s 3-point offense, which finished this past season ranked 27th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage. Durant has made 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts over the past five seasons. Durant would also make the Heat immediate championship contenders. The 27-year-old would be eligible for a projected starting annual salary of $25.9 million this summer, but could opt to sign a short-term deal to stay with the Thunder and then become a free agent again in 2017.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 5

After playing for less than $1 million each of the past two seasons with the Heat, the 7-footer is expected to sign with the team that offers him the best contract this summer. It looks like Miami might be ready to give Whiteside the money he’s looking for, as Heat president Pat Riley said signing the center is the team’s “No. 1 priority” this offseason. After Miami signed Whiteside as an unproven commodity in the middle of the 2014-15 season, he’s averaged 13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. As an unrestricted free agent, Whiteside is expected to carry a market value of a four-year deal worth between $60 and $80 million.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 5

After opting out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, the 26-year-old shooting guard is expected to get a max contract this summer. But it probably won’t be from the Heat. With Dwyane Wade and Josh Richardson expected to be on the Heat’s roster for at least the next few seasons, DeRozan’s price tag might be too high. But DeRozan is too talented for Miami to totally ignore him, as he averaged 23.5 points on 44.6 percent shooting to go along with 4.5 rebounds and four assists last season. DeRozan can sign a max contract this summer that will start at around $25.9 million.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 2

With uncertainty surrounding Chris Bosh’s health situation, the Heat might see Horford as the perfect backup plan. Even if the Heat are able to sign center Hassan Whiteside, the ex-University of Florida star is a natural fit next to Whiteside as a stretch power forward. The 30-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season. In addition, Horford has added another weapon to his offensive arsenal recently, making 88 3-pointers last season compared to just 21 3-pointers over the first eight seasons of his career. Horford has made $12 million per year over the past four seasons and could ask for a max contract with a projected starting annual salary of about $26 million this summer.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 3

The Heat seem to be set at the small forward position moving forward with 20-year-old Justise Winslow on the roster. But if Miami lets free agent Luol Deng sign elsewhere, the Batum-Winslow combo would work. The only problem is that it looks like Batum is expected to draw max offers this summer after a strong year with the Hornets last season. The 27-year-old averaged a career-high 14.9 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Batum is also known as a strong perimeter defender. The money Batum is expected to ask for just might be too much for the Heat to stomach.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 3

This option only makes sense for the Heat if they opt to trade point guard Goran Dragic. One could argue that Conley isn’t even an upgrade over Dragic, though. Conley, 28, is younger than Dragic, 30, but their numbers are similar. Conley has averaged 16.2 points on 44 percent shooting and 5.8 assists over the past three seasons. Dragic has averaged 17 points on 49.5 percent shooting and 5.4 assists in the same span. But Dragic has been more durable, playing in 27 more regular-season games than Conley over that stretch. Conley is in for a big payday after making a career-high $9.6 million with Memphis last season, while Dragic is locked in to make $15.9 million next season.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 1

If the Heat can’t keep Hassan Whiteside, would they consider Howard as his replacement? Probably not. At 30 and entering his 13th NBA season, Howard is just not the dominant center he used to be and is still expected to demand close to max money when he becomes a free agent, assuming he declines his player option for next season. Howard’s numbers have been on the decline for the past few seasons, as he averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds with the Rockets last season. The only time he’s averaged less points in a single season came in his rookie year. Howard would make $23.3 million by opting in with the Rockets next season, so it’s difficult to picture him taking less than that as a starting salary this summer.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 2

If the Heat want Beal, they will probably have to offer him a max contract. “I want to be valued the right way,” Beal said to reporters in May. “I feel like I’m a max player and that’s what I’m looking for. If Washington can’t meet that requirement then I may be thinking elsewhere.” Miami will probably pass on the 22-year-old guard, who is expected to want a contract that pays him him around $23 million per season. That’s a lot of money to give a player who has battled injuries and missed 81 games over the first four seasons of his NBA career. The talent is there, though, as Beal averaged 17.4 points and shot 38.7 percent from 3-point range last season.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 1

As a key player on an elite team, Barnes will be a popular free agent this summer. The 24-year-old forward turned down a four-year, $64 million offer from the Warriors last offseason, so his new contract will probably have to be for more than that. Barnes could ask for around $20 million per year as a restricted free agent this offseason. With Justise Winslow already on the roster and other intriguing small forward options available in free agency, the Heat will probably not chase Barnes. He averaged a career-high 11.7 points on 46.6 percent shooting and 38.3 percent shooting from 3-point range last season.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 1

This could be the perfect free agent for the Heat. At 35 years old, Gasol isn’t necessarily looking to sign with the team that offers him the most money, he’s looking to win. If Gasol is willing to take less money than his market value to sign with the Heat, he turns into a realistic option. Although Gasol is going to be 36 in July, he still managed to average a double-double in each of the past two seasons. He averaged 16.5 points on 46.9 percent shooting to go along with 11 rebounds and two blocks last season. Gasol signed with the Bulls for a discount in the summer of 2014, making between $7 million and $7.5 million per year over the past two seasons.

Heat’s expected level of interest: 3