Heat’s hopes of adding Zach LaVine may hinge on one big question

The Heat would still like to add another proven scorer around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Whether Zach LaVine becomes that player is another matter.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Miami’s chances of landing LaVine likely depend on whether the veteran guard is willing to give up a significant portion of the $49 million he’s owed in the final year of his contract.

That doesn’t appear likely at the moment.

Sacramento reportedly has little interest in buying out or waiving LaVine, and the Kings aren’t under any financial pressure to move on from his contract before next summer. Miami also has limited flexibility.

The Heat can offer only about $8 million from their mid-level exception, leaving a sizable gap between that figure and LaVine’s current salary. As Winderman noted, a similar scenario involving Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson could be more realistic because of his smaller expiring contract.

Even if LaVine ultimately remains out of reach, the Heat are expected to keep exploring ways to strengthen their perimeter shooting after the departures of Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.

Among the names frequently connected to Miami are Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan and Thompson. Each comes with questions.

Beal remains one of the league’s better shot creators when healthy, though injuries have limited him in recent seasons. DeRozan continues to produce offensively but isn’t the high-volume three-point threat Miami has been seeking. Thompson still commands respect as a shooter, but unlike Beal and DeRozan, he isn’t currently a free agent.

Either way, the Heat appear content to monitor the market.

Whether that patience eventually leads to LaVine, Beal, Thompson or someone else could depend on which veteran is willing to make the biggest financial sacrifice to join a championship contender.