There are several needs the Heat would like to shore up: they are in need of a starting point guard and an answer at center.
Instead of looking to trade scenarios, let’s focus on free agents that are out there and could help the Heat. To fit into our brief study here, they must be unrestricted and fit into a need. Here is a quick look at some of the names that could be added to the Heat’s roster this summer.
| Pos. | Name/Team |
Evaluation |
| PG | Carlos Arroyo Orlando Magic |
Arroyo knows Miami, starring at FIU. He is a point guard that can shoot, play off the ball, and run the offense. His defense is questionable, but he could easily come in and be a starting caliber PG for the Heat. He could make the offense much more efficient. Unrestricted FA. |
| PG | Beno Udrih Sacramento Kings |
Probably will be out of the Heat’s price range but could definitely help the Heat. Another concern is that Riley is not looking to handcuff the financial flexibility his team is currently moving towards in anticipation of the big FA summer of 2010. So, Udrih is probably looking for a longer deal and that rules out Miami. |
| PG | Damon Stoudamire San Antonio Spurs |
The old vet is looking for one last contract, and might be had for the veteran minimum in the right situation. In Miami, most likely would come off the bench but probably not going to be an upgrade over Marcus Banks or Mario Chalmer. Could be a bench option if Jason Williams doesn’t come back. |
| PF/C | Kwame Brown Memphis Grizzlies |
I know what you’re thinking – he’s a bust. I don’t buy it. He was the #1 draft pick for a reason, he has great athleticism and size. Will he be an offensive presence in the post? Not likely. But he can rebound and block shots, and he could work on getting more of a nose for the ball. Brought into Miami with a fresh start, who knows. The Heat are notorious for their player development and team culture. And he could be had for nothing. |
| PF/C | Stromile Swift NJ Nets |
This guy has always had the raw athleticism to play the center postion, block shots and grab rebounds. In an uptempo offense, he could run and get cheap baskets but could also man the center and help redirect traffic. Has a player option. |
| C | Primoz Brezec Toronto Raptors |
Slow footed and couldn’t seem to help any team he went to last year. Still, solid center that could provide a presence down low and can extend his defenders by shooting outside. Then again, Heat already have Mark Blount which is a better option offensively and defensively. |
So there are 6 possible free agent options that are available for point guards and centers. The other possibility could be to see the Heat sign a swingman, like Golden State’s Mickael Pietrus, and then make a trade. Of course, the Heat could also sign their own free agents as Alonzo Mourning has yet to make his final decision about playing this season.
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Miami Heat May Not Be Desperate for Point Guard
The Heat supposedly have a huge hole at point guard. I am not buying it for one reason – Dwyane Wade.
A lot of pundits and fans out there point to the success of NBA teams with a stellar point guard. Look at Chris Paul, Deron Williams, or Tony Parker they say. I point to Jason Kidd and then I ask, who was the starting point guard for the Lakers and Celtics, the two finalists in the NBA this season?
More importantly, who is going to have the ball in his hands in the clutch, Dwyane Wade or any point guard you think the Heat can acquire? Rose? Ridnour? Hinrich? Chalmers, Banks, or Quinn?
So, let’s stop with the idea that point guard is a huge hole for the Heat. The only thing the Heat really need out of their point guard is someone who can set up the offense and immediately run around and find a spot on the floor to hit open shots. The basically need a Damon Jones that can play defense. This is another reason why I love the acquisition of Mario Chalmers, a championship experienced point guard that has athleticism, a long wing span, and can nail open shots.
Let say the Heat do get itchy for a point guard. There are several options out there:
Hinrich is available. The Bulls drafted Rose so Hinrich is very much expendable. This guy I would actually want to see the Heat trade for because he could start and give the Heat that shooting touch from outside and could play off the ball to complement Wade. He is also a feisty defender. The only problem would be his contract which looks like:
So, if Riley wanted Hinrich, he would have to want to keep him around for those years as he has said he wants to maintain financial flexibility. The picture has changed dramatically since dealing away Shaq, but this would be a pretty good backcourt tandem of Wade and Hinrich. It looks pretty clear though that Hinrich will end up in Denver.
Ridnour is stuck in Seattle and wants out. He was a pretty good developing young point guard a few years back, but has gotten stuck on the bench and isn’t being freed from it. With Earl Watson in camp and now Russell Westbrook, the 4th pick overall, it looks even less desirable for Ridnour. He definitely fits the mold that the Heat need – a point guard that can set up the offense and find his shot off the ball. He also plays solid defense and can pick pockets. He could be the starter, but who knows how long he would hold that spot with Chalmers and Banks around. He makes $6.5M in each of the next two seasons, so he does offer that long term financial flexibility with that short term answer Riley may be looking for.
What about Indiana’s point guard glut? They traded for TJ Ford and when you saw they drafted Jarryd Bayless, you knew they were going to trade. Of course, I was hoping Riley would swoop in and trade for Bayless, who was an extremely valuable pick at the 11 spot. But what about Jamal Tinsley and now Jarret Jack? Tinsley would be a great fit, and is making some money over the next three years:
Perhaps a straight up trade of Udonis Haslem would work, as they make virtually the same money. Tinsley does have health concerns, however.
Then there is Jarret Jack, the former Georgia Tech star that the Heat had been interested in when he came out for the draft a few years ago. Only making $2M and $2.8M (qualifying offer), Jack would offer the Heat a starting point guard with financial flexibility. The question remains, who would the Heat trade in order to acquire Jack?
Finally there is still hope that OJ Mayo will try and force some kind of deal out of Memphis. He wants to play in a big market and would love to play with Dwyane Wade – and Riley wouldn’t mind having Mayo around for when Wade tries to test the market in a few seasons. If there is a deal to be made with Memphis, the Heat need to seek it out as Mayo would be an intriguing fit in Miami, admittedly not fitting into the shooting/defense mold the Heat would be best acquiring for their point guard needs.