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Point Guard Options Swell for Miami Heat
The Heat have been relatively quiet this offseason in acquiring players to round out their roster. There was the noise in the draft, and that was it. As if that wasn’t enough. Well, it isn’t if Riley is trying to launch this team back into contention.
So, you have an asset in Shawn Marion that you could potentially use in a deal to land pretty much any player you want. Sure, Elton Brand is out there, reportedly weighing offers from his current team, the Clippers, and an offer from another suitor the Golden State Warriors – who have apparently lost Baron Davis. How instantly would Elton Brand make the Heat a championship contender.
The problem? The Heat have very little financial flexibility for this season. They are staring at the $58M cap limit right now. Shawn Marion’s $17.8M has significant influence as well, but is only going to be locked in for this season. Then there is the horrible contract of Smush Parker, who is still on the books for $2.4M. Really, all Miami has to offer is the $5.8 mid-level exception (MLE), which was more attractive when Miami had Shaq and Wade and was contending.
Still there are several options that could help Miami this offseason. The first would be signing Keyon Dooling, who is seeking a substantial portion of the MLE. The Heat could offer that, but the problem is that Dooling wants a longer termed contract while Riley wants to stick to 2 years so that he can keep financially flexibile for the 2010 offseason.
Along with all this early bubbling of free agent movement, the Heat do seem to be inactive but we are assured elsewhere that the Heat are biding their time and trying to net the best value. What about Indiana’s Jamaal Tinsley? He is currently expected to be the odd man out as the Pacers just traded for TJ Ford and drafted Jerryd Bayless but then traded him to Portland for Jarret Jack.
How about the Knicks Stephon Marbury? This seems to be a real possibility to Frank Isola, and a necessary step for the Knicks in his opinion. I am sure he would be a good fit, but those draft pundits who were salivating over landing Derrick Rose to play with Dwyane Wade could find a similar scenario with Marbury – if he could reclaim his NBA stardom in a fresh start in Miami. That deal would require Miami to deal Shawn Marion, however, to make it happen. And don’t doubt that possibility as D’Antoni is quite familiar with what Marion can do.
Kirk Hinrich? It would probably take the perfect scenario to get the Bulls to trade him to the Heat and reports are he is going to Denver, which makes sense as that gets him out of the conference. This would be probably the best situation for the Heat as Hinrich could play both excellent defense and work as a shooting guard to play off of Wade when he does have the ball. Plus, you wouldn’t have to worry about Wade getting mauled when they play the Bulls anymore.
Memphis’ Kyle Lowry? Philadelphia’s Andre Miller?
There are also options on the free agent market beyond Keyon Dooling like Carlos Arroyo and Sebastian Telfair. I think Arroyo would offer a better backcourt partner to Wade than most think, as he would be playing in Miami and he would be freed up to shoot when he got the ball or create plays. Everyone remembers how tough Arroyo was when he played for Puerto Rico and something tells me that playing in Miami would give him that same energy.
Also, what about Jason Williams? Don’t expect the Heat to bring him back unless there is some really perceived value there. In other words, if he is the best option left and they can sign him to come off the bench for the veteran minimum.
So, don’t buy the Heat’s relative quietness at this point. They have a plethora of options out there, it is just a matter of working with the right scenario. That means the team has to keep its flexibility and it won’t look to get into a contract beyond 2010. They will also look for a clear upgrade over Marcus Banks and Mario Chalmers – who many are likening to Rajon Rondo, the flavor of the moment. Also, don’t overlook free agent invitee Jason Richards from Davidson. He missed the shot that could have spoiled Kansas’ run and lead the nation in assists and assist to turnover ratio.
The Heat are in the driver’s seat where point guard is concerned and an option like Jamaal Tinsley or Marbury could be had at a really, really cheap price.
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take carlos arroyo, he is a good point guard you don’t forgotme he is good for miami….
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