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Quentin Richardson Comes to Miami
Q Dog? Really?
Miami just changed its offseason fortunes a bit by dealing center Mark Blount to the Timberwolves for Quentin Richardson, who has been shuffled around so much the guy must be dizzy.
Both Blount and Richardson are in the final year of their contracts, so financially this fits into the scheme of things Pat Riley is trying to do – keep it financially flexible for next year’s offseason. Blount was scheduled to make 7.9M this season while Richardson is due 9.4M. For Blount it is a return to the Timberwolves, the team the Heat originally acquired him from (along with Ricky Davis) before the 2007-2008 season for Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a first round pick. The debate on whether or not that deal worked out rages on.
It was the 4th time Richardson has been dealt this offseason – from the Knicks to the Grizzlies, to the Clippers and then the Timberwolves. The Heat, however, seem bent on keeping Richardson for the duration of the season:
“We are very excited to add Quentin Richardson,” Heat President Pat Riley said. “Over the course of his career, he has proven to be a fierce competitor, a great locker-room presence and a very prolific three-point shooter who may be one of the strongest perimeter players in the NBA. We feel that he will be able to match up well against the top scorers in the league.”
Richardson has been eyed by the Heat brass for some time now, actually. His ability to score is going to offer the Heat more punch, but where exactly he will fit remains to be seen. Richardson can play SG or SF, and will offer some depth to the Heat’s options of Dwyane Wade and Daequan Cook. Cook’s minutes seem to be potentially the most impacted of all here and with the Heat losing Jamario Moon to the Cavs, the depth at SF just regained itself a bit with Richardson adding to the rotation of Dorell Wright, James Jones, Yakhouba Diawara and an occasional appearance from Michael Beasley.
Fallout From Failed Odom Signing Could Prove Crucial For Heat Future
Now, there is a saying that there is no such thing as a must win game. Well, for the Heat, this might be a crucial offseason looking like a must win situation. The pressure may now have shifted to Pat Riley as well, who is faced with paying luxury taxes on a team that got into the playoffs last year and is faced with proving itself a good fit for Dwyane Wade’s future as he looks forward to next offseason’s big boon.
Let’s look at the Heat’s situation – they just failed in their attempt at signing Odom to the mid-level exception. It was a gamble, sure, but it didn’t work out. Heat fans might feel reminded of the Mo Williams sweepstakes just over a few seasons ago. The Heat also let Jamario Moon walk without getting any compensation. Perhaps it was overlooked by the Heat’s attempt to land Odom, but that would be too simplistic. If the Heat re-signed Moon they would be faced with paying double – since they are currently over the league’s $69.9 million dollar luxury tax line.
The Heat have several options on the table. They are reportedly looking at Jamaal Tinsley, who would be an affordable addition to the Heat’s roster as he would provide a veteran point guard at roughly $1 million – which raises the total cost to $2M when considering the luxury tax penalty. He would compete with Mario Chalmers for the starting spot and provide more depth. Milwaukee Bucks restricted free agent Ramon Sessions remains available, but reports are that the Knicks are leaning towards extending him an offer which means the Heat’s chances to nabbing Tinsley increase.
There are other free agents that could help as well. A major need for the Heat is rebounding and Memphis has let Hakim Warrick dangle out in the free agent jetstream. The Cavs have apparently extended an offer so it isn’t certain at this time that Miami is even in the conversation. A major hurdle for Miami is the luxury tax, so if Miami is to add another player it is most likely going to be a bargain basement deal so they take a minimal hit.
There is also the Carlos Boozer situation, which has cooled substantially. Don’t expect the Heat to make a deal but then again, this is precisely when Pat Riley usually shocks people with getting a deal. The Heat have tons of contracts that are expiring after this season – the Heat would just have to be willing to take back money in return. If the Heat want to sign a player, they have to free up money. If they want to trade for another player, they have these expiring contracts which would look good to teams like the Utah Jazz – who has the highest payroll in the NBA and paying a lot in luxury tax, around $20M. Who are the expiring contracts for the Heat?
- Jermaine O’neal $22.9M
- Mark Blount $7.9M
- Udonis Haslem $7.1M
- Dorell Wright $2.75M
- Jamaal Magliore $1.2M (re-signed for this upcoming season)
- Chris Quinn $1.05M (re-signed for this upcoming season)
- Yakhouba Diawara $945K
- Joel Anthony $825K (re-signed for this upcoming season)
In order for the Heat to deal these contracts, the situation would have to be deemed an improvement for Pat Riley. That means not taking on any salary that would limit the Heat’s financial flexibility for the upcoming offseason. The Heat’s goal is to re-sign Wade to a long term deal as well as add a potential marquee free agent like a Chris Bosh or, even dare, Lebron James.
Yet right now, the Heat has to shift its focus to this offseason and the upcoming season otherwise, they may have a hard time convincing anyone to come to South Beach to play basketball.
Tell us what you think – discuss the Heat’s next move on our forum.
Heat Making Heads Turn
The Heat are coming; they are starting to play some pretty good basketball.
Too bad we didn’t see it against the Celtics at the start of this homestand, but then again that is the Celtics who are the defending world champs. It is hard to argue against the Heat, however, making the playoffs and perhaps making a strong showing in the postseason.
Tonight, the Heat defeated the Hawks, another team in their division ranked ahead of them. In fact, it was the 2nd contest in as many nights as the Heat dispatched the Magic only a few nights previous, Dwight Howard finding an ejection in the closing minutes rife with frustration.
The Heat went with a different look tonight, launching Jamal Magloire to start at the center spot while bringing Mark Blount off the bench to help give the Heat a more dynamic offensive presence. For Blount, it has been a re-emergence of sorts after having not played in the previous 17 games. Spoelstra had in mind to use Blount’s range and athleticism to keep Dwight Howard honest and draw him outside the painted area. Against the Hawks, a kind of athletic “tweener” team, Blount’s services were again needed.
And for Magloire, it was an arrival – getting his first start in a Heat uniform. There was a resurrection expected (and talked about) at the start of the season for Magloire who was an all-star back in the ‘04 season with the Hornets (then still in the Eastern conference). Tonight, he flashed some of that skill contributing 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in just under 17 minutes of play. One of those baskets came on a dunk, where Magloire put his hands over his eyes in a Dee Brown fit of imitation. “Just having fun”, Magloire said.
As were the Heat tonight. And it is hard not to embrace this young, brash team. They play with a quiet confidence that is best illustrated in a Daequan Cook three point shot in the clutch, or the way Mario Chalmers continues to lock down his opposition on the defensive end each night. This team is executing and with Dwyane Wade playing at such a tremendously high level right now – the kind of level we haven’t seen in these parts since July of 2006 – there is little to doubt about this team.
This team is still growing. Consider how good Michael Beasley could be in a month or two; how good James Jones is going to be in a month being back healthy.
And Miami is doing some surprising things without Shawn Marion on the floor. What if the Heat actually trade him and upgrade their roster? Where is the ceiling then?
Draft Presents More Deal Scenarios for Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are in an interesting quandry. Should they draft Michael Beasley if he is available with the 2nd pick? Or should they trade down and scoop up someone with more value?
If Rose is available it seems clear that Miami would take him right away.
This is the basic question Miami is asking itself going into their 7:40 pm slot to make their pick on this Thursday. Should Miami take Beasley, they will give themselves a very good prospect that is going to come into the league and be ready to make an impact right away. They will have themselves another front court player that can shoot, score and block shots. Currently, Shawn Marion fits that role and the Heat hope to see more from Dorrell Wright as well this season.
Yet, there are many who seem to think Miami will not take Beasley, but intensely question his work ethic and maturity. With such a high pick, the feeling is it has to be a lock for Miami. If there are doubts, they could trade down, risk passing on Beasley but instead get more known quantities in a deal.
Rumor Volat
Rumor does fly, especially on the internet. There are rumors circulating that the Heat are in talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about a possible deal that would net the Heat Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry and the #5 pick for the #2 pick, clearly as part of a package deal. There are even discussions that the Heat are trying to get Conley from the Grizzlies and that the Heat would throw in Daequan Cook.
Another possibility finds the Heat dealing with the NY Knicks, there one-time rivals. The deal would be something akin to the Knicks sending Stephon Marbury and the 6th pick overall to Miami for Shawn Marion and Mark Blount. This would give the Heat the #2 and #6 picks in the draft and there are rumblings of the Heat being very interested in Brook Lopez, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love and even OJ Mayo.
Then there is the Seattle possibility which is the Sonics will send Chris Wilcox and the #4 pick for the #2 and Mark Blount.
Yet there are many on the inside who think the Heat are over-analyzing this situation. The best player almost unanimously is Michael Beasley. If he does have some perceived maturity issues, it could be just a part of the fact that he is practically fresh out of high school. And as a protected jock that hasn’t had to do anything other than play basketball, his view of reality is going to be a little screwy. You don’t miss the boat on that kind of talent unless you get some serious value in return. Besides, what better way to drive down his value than to find some kind of kink in his talent and push the perceived value of Rose up. This makes Chicago all but challenged to not draft Rose and have Beasley fall to Miami.
Drafting Beasley remains the best option for Miami. They can still always work out a deal if they felt they needed to thin out the front court depth of Beasley, Marion, Haslem and Wright. In fact, that process has already begun a bit with the Heat releasing Alexander Johnson today.
Pat needs this team to stand pat. They should draft the #2 spot and hope it is Beasley that is available because he will make a better fit with Wade and will make an immediate impact while Rose has to learn the finer points of running an offense in the NBA. Not to mention, Beasley would make the Heat need Marion that much less which would drive up his value even more.
If the Heat can swing a deal for another draft pick in this draft, that would be a solid choice but not at the expense of Dwyane Wade, Daequan Cook (unless it was really high) or the #2 pick.
Shawn Marion Promises Bright Future
Ray Bans? Panama Jacks? Blu Blockers?
Look, the future is so bright, I just might grab me a pair. Kim Jong Il has some, much be watching Heat games.
Why has the Heat’s future been resurrected from one of a dilapidating old sorry site to a sleek, new, hip one? They traded Shaq away and got Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. And so far, it has paid immediate dividends.
Banks has already started to turn things. He called the Heat slow. Old man Heat need to get young buck quick and they are doing so by getting rid of the old diesel engine for a high-octane variety.
“It feels like we’re pacing ourselves for something,” Banks said. “If we get out there and just lay it on the line, we can shock a couple of teams and get a different outcome.”
But Banks isn’t the only one feeling prophetic these days. Shawn Marion believes in the future of this team too.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkymlc6iWnY&rel=1]
You heard the man. “I’m happy to be a part of this Heat organization and we’re trying to build for the future.” We all are.
The Heat got back not only an legit all star at a position they were iffy on, small forward, but they also added a potential starter for another position they are desperately thin at – point guard. Both Marion and Banks will take what they learned in Phoenix and help the Heat overhaul their offense and tweak it up to a faster paced model. The fans here in Miami are talking about it more, and seem to be rejuvenated.
Tonight is just another point in case. The Heat lost, sure, 114-113. But it was to the Denver Nuggets who had to rely on a career night from JR Smith to survive. Smith’s 8 three pointers propelled him to 28 points on the night, with which the Heat may have won this game and may have done so convincingly.
Shawn Marion did poor in another productive night with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Dwyane Wade, all of a sudden, is looking more like the play maker he was in the 2006 playoffs – having 10 assists and only 2 turnovers.
Not to mention the Heat, averaging around 77 shots a game, put up 100 shots tonight.
In fact, after a dunk from Marion, who was on the receiving end of a bounce pass from Marcus Banks, took a 42-28 lead at home against the Nuggets.
Overall, the team is performing better. Blount had 18 points, Wright dropped 19 and is showing himself to be not just an athlete that can score, but that can contribute with rebounds (8) and in other ways (4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block).
Remember, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning are currently injured and in street clothes. They were both at the game cheering on the team and getting very excited. Could this mean Zo might lean towards returning? Regardless, the excitement was visible and could be a barometer of what is going on within the organization.
This team may or may not win a lot of games to close out the year, but the future is actually going to be brighter as a result. They not only will have salary cap space to play around with (expect another trade before the deadline so the Heat can get a player they want without having to play the numbers game – possibly Mike Miller) but with their continued losing efforts they are actually stepping closer to getting one of the top picks in this year’s draft.
So Enter the Matrix and watch as the Heat, with their true architect Pat Riley, turn this thing around very quickly.
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