Josh McRoberts Commits to Join Miami Heat, Reunites with Granger
Josh McRoberts has committed to signing with the Miami Heat the same day after the Heat got the same commitment from Danny Granger. McRoberts is in line for a four year deal worth $23 million dollars. Granger’s offer sheet is a two year, $4.2 million deal. Both McRoberts and Granger were once members of the Indiana Pacers, who have, in recent years, become a challenger for the Miami Heat in the east. But with Miami’s “big three,” including LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, all testing the free agent waters, the Heat and president Pat Riley have been busy setting up contingency plans. Apparently, this plan involves building the Pacers team from 2009.
Josh McRoberts, a 6-10 forward averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a game last year and was well liked in Charlotte. Granger, a 6-8 small forward who spent parts of the last three seasons injured in Indiana, was traded mid-season to Philadelphia and was them released where he signed with the L0s Angeles Clippers for their tumultuous playoff run following owner Donald Sterling’s racist comments in April.
Charlotte does not want to lose McRoberts, who is a vital part of their team. Yahoo! Sports NBA analyst tweeted yesterday that the Bobcats/Hornets are fighting to keep their star forward.
Charlotte’s increased offer to McRoberts in past 24 hours, pushing to mid-level exception, sources tell Yahoo. Steve Clifford values him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2014
McRoberts was also very happy to be in Charlotte, as Grantland’s Zach Lowe tweeted earlier this week.
Probably wasn’t easy decision for McRoberts. Talked with him last year about how happy he was to finally have found a real NBA home in CHA
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 7, 2014
However it came about, both Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger have now committed, which changes the landscape of the eastern conference in myriad ways. The Miami Heat hope that by signing McRoberts and Granger, they can convince LeBron James to come back, though reports say that James is seeking max money. Chris Bosh was offered max money with the Houston Rockets yesterday in the form of a four year, $88 million deal. Even Bosh is waiting to see what James does before committing.
No NBA team can officially sign free agents until Thursday, so many things can–and will–change between now and then. For now, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger will both soon be members of the Miami Heat. Time will tell if LeBron James will be their teammate.
[Image Courtesy of NESN]
