The Miami Heat entered free agency on Monday looking to be big spenders, and they accomplished their mission with a few power moves.
Just moments after the NBA's negotiating period began, the Heat acquired All-Star guard Kyle Lowry in a sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Raptors. According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the 35-year-old veteran will receive a three-year contract worth roughly $90 million.
In addition to Lowry, Miami also brought back restricted free agent guard Duncan Robinson on a five-year, $90 million deal, per reports, and inked former Milwaukee Bucks forward PJ Tucker to a two-year, $15 million deal.
"The fact is, the Miami Heat are going to be better than they were last year," JR said during Monday's edition of the JR SportBrief show. "The Miami Heat, a disappointing end to the season, as they were just seemingly out of gas the entire year. A record of 40-32, they get to the playoffs, they're embarrassed by the Milwaukee Bucks, they go in as a six seed. Not this upcoming year. I think all things considered, the Miami Heat are going to bounce back.
"Am I prepared to put them back in the Finals? Hell, no, I'm not doing that. But I think everybody's going to have to deal with the Miami Heat... The fact is, the Heat are going to be better than they were last year... The Miami Heat are just going to go out there and never quit. They might be small, relatively speaking, but they're going to be the toughest dog in every game and every matchup they play. I'm not prepared to call them title contenders..."
Lowry, a six-time All-Star with the Raptors, averaged 17.2 points with 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds last season. He'll join longtime friend and Heat star guard Jimmy Butler, who's expected to sign a maximum contract extension worth up to $184 million in the coming days.
According to BetMGM, the Heat entered this week with the 11th-best odds (+3500) to win the 2022 NBA Finals.
JR's complete thoughts on the Heat can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.