Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) dribbles during warm ups prior to game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Kyrie Irving and Dillon Brooks are two of the most complicated cases in free agency, but NBA rumors are already tabbing potential suitors.
Dillon Brooks and Kyrie Irving are both unrestricted free agents this summer and could face enormous challenges trying to find what they’re looking for, both in terms of role and compensation.
Brooks played his way out of Memphis with reckless antagonism, endless technical fouls and woeful shooting, but is reportedly looking for $25 million a year and a home where he can take on more offensive responsibility. Irving is presumably looking for another max deal with a contender after spending the past four seasons coming up with increasingly creative and offensive ways of destroying the Nets, before forcing a disastrous trade to the Mavericks that dragged them completely out of the playoffs.
Both players have talent and upside, but they come with enormous risks. Even if they can’t find exactly what they’re looking for, they’ll have suitors though and NBA rumors are already buzzing about who could be interested.
NBA rumors: Miami Heat could actually be interested in Dillon Brooks
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, SI’s Chris Mannix tabbed the Heat as a potential frontrunner to sign Brooks, saying:
“Every time you see kind of Duncan Robinson running around there defensively or Tyler Herro before him, you know they could use a defensive-minded wing [like Dillon Brooks], and I could see him finding his way down there and the Heat being aggressive and trying to get a guy at a relatively bargain basement price. That, to me, that feels like a frontrunner right now.”
The Heat could certainly use another defender on the wing but given how much they also need shooting and creation, they could probably do better than Brooks. In addition, it seems unlikely Miami could offer him the larger offensive role or anything close to the salary he’s seeking.