May 27, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) warms up prior to game six of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Heat and Nuggets reached the NBA Finals thanks, in part, to several breakout role players. A few of them are also free agents and could be hot targets this offseason.
The 2023 NBA Finals is finally here!
The Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets will face off in a historic matchup. The Heat will attempt to become the first eight-seed to ever win the NBA Championship, while the Nuggets are looking to secure their first title in franchise history.
While the attention will be rightfully focused on Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler, both teams have had significant contributions from their supporting cast, and this offseason, some key players could depart in free agency.
Let’s take a look at three NBA Finals players who will be hot free agents.
NBA Finals players who will be hot free agents: 3. Gabe Vincent
The 6-foot-2 point guard replaced Kyle Lowry in the starting lineup this season. During the regular season, he performed well as a starter, averaging 10.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals; he shot 35.9 percent from 3.
However, Vincent has taken his game to another level during the playoffs. He is averaging 13.1 points and 3.9 assists while shooting 39.0 percent from deep. At times, he has taken over games as a scorer. This postseason, he has scored 20+ points in four individual games, including a 29-point performance against the Boston Celtics.
This offseason, Vincent should be a hot commodity. He is only 26 years old, and he is the fourth-leading scorer on a Finals team. The Heat do hold his bird rights, so they can go over the cap to re-sign him.
The Heat should be the favorite to sign Vincent, but other teams in win-now mode could pursue him in a sign-and-trade. The Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers are all logical landing spots.