The Miami Heat did all they could to assemble a roster that would keep them competitive in the coming 2014-15 NBA season in the wake of LeBron Jame's departure to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They reportedly managed to convince Chris Bosh to stay for five more years when he was on the brink of signing a max contract with the Houston Rockets. Adding Luol Deng and resigning Dwyane Wade was a big step forward and now all the Heat needs to do is make some finishing touches and they will be set for the upcoming season.
Leandro Barbosa is said to have an expressed interest in joining the Heat and may soon reach an agreement this summer in the 2014 NBA free agency, according to a tweet by Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Barbosa joined the Phoenix Suns last season to fill the void left by Eric Bledsoe's absence after a meniscus injury. The quick Brazilian point guard is known to have averaged 7.5 points on 42 percent shooting, and 1.6 assists in 20 games for the Suns. A left hand fracture, unfortunately, ended his brief stint with the team.
Now playing for his National Team Brazil, Barbosa, seems to be back in full health and this may have caught the attention of teams in the NBA including the Miami Heat. Should he perform well in the upcoming FIBA World Cup of Basketball, he will surely be receiving calls from General Managers around the league.
"I don't know what owners think about the World Cup, but hopefully I do a great job over there and a team sees. I feel healthy and my body is feeling healthy. If I have free agency in my mind, I won't be able to be myself on the court. Hopefully, I sign a contract and I'll be happy," Barbosa said on Sunday as quoted by Real GM.
The Heat currently lack veteran shooters in its roster with Ray Allen reportedly contemplating on retiring or Joining James in Cleveland, and James Jones already signed with the Cavs. Although Barbosa is no Allen when it comes to shooting the ball from deep, he is still a valuable addition to any team looking for a vetaran sharp shooter and this may have been the reason why the Heat front office has interrest on him, according to Trisity Miller of Fansided.
Barbosa is looking to make a comeback in the NBA and the Heat are in need of a three-point threat in their roster. A contract agreement in the near future may prove beneficial for both sides in the end.
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