Chris Elise/Getty Images

The Miami Heat are reportedly "focused on keeping their salary books as clean as possible" for the next couple years with an eye toward the blockbuster 2021 NBA free-agent class.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Friday the Heat are paying "close attention" to the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.

Miami acquired small forward Jimmy Butler and his four-year, $141 million contract in a July sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. It sounds like that's the last major splash the team's front office plans to make until 2021, though.

The Heat don't have the high-end talent to match the NBA's elite teams, especially those in the loaded Western Conference, but they could be a sleeper in the East thanks to their ample depth.

Butler told reporters in September he's trying to serve as a leader, and he wants everybody on the roster to develop a ruthless mentality that will make the team a tough out come playoff time. He'd already witnessed those traits in a couple of his new teammates.

On rookie Tyler Herro: "He's always got s--t to say. I love that kid."

On Justise Winslow: "He's smart, he's aggressive [and] he damn sure doesn't back down from anybody."

Caesars Sportsbook lists the Heat with the seventh-best odds to win the East at +2000. The Milwaukee Bucks (-110) and Sixers (+140) are a step above everyone else in the conference based on the betting lines.

It's likely going to take a talent infusion with the addition of at least one, and probably two, high-end players for Miami to become a legitimate championship contender.

The Heat appear poised to wait a couple years before trying to make that type of slash, though.