At the time of writing this article the Miami Heat have two players under contract for 2014-15, Norris Cole and recent draft pick Shabazz Napier.
Their list of outgoing unrestricted free agents looks like a who’s who of great players past their prime, along with the still unsigned big three.
The goal of this summer for the Heat was to secure the roster and give LeBron some extra help to chase down title number three. They have very little trade assets to make a move in-season so free agency is their only route for significant roster improvement.
After handling the bulk of the workload in the NBA Finals, LeBron needs a few younger players to shoulder some minutes during the regular season, but the Heat are quickly running out of options.
In past few days, several players including Kyle Lowry, Marcin Gortat, Jodie Meeks and Shaun Livingston have all been signed to big deals.
While this has been going on the big three have been having meetings, staying quiet and not really indicating what is going to happen. Is this really their plan and what do they have in store?
Rumours have been flying around that LeBron is commanding a max deal (rightly so) and Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are willing to accept a lot less than they could get on the open market, but so far nothing has been set in stone.
Bosh and Wade proved that they can no longer play heavy minutes all season and be effective, so the slack has to be picked up elsewhere. Given they have rumoured to take pay cuts to reflect their playing value, it is unknown if that is going to be enough for LeBron or any other potential free agent.
It’s a very weird situation as there is an increasing chance that LeBron could sign elsewhere if the Heat don’t pick up some players quickly. Pat Riley has already bowed to his demands by trading up in the draft to get Shabazz Napier – even though he claimed that he was not acting on behalf of LeBron.
But who can they sign?
2014 Remaining Free Agents
Pau Gasol (Unrestricted) – Pau has apparently called Pat Riley but there is no indication that there will be any serious talks. Pau is also being courted by the Thunder duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the Lakers are also desperate to construct a half decent roster.
Kris Humphries (Unrestricted) – The Heat really need a big man or two to add to their roster and Humphries could be an interesting fit. He may not be the most athletic big out there, but he knows how to score and may be willing to take a pay cut after that massive two year and $20million contract he was on just expired.
Vince Carter (Unrestricted) – Vinsanity is in the twilight of his career but still has something to contribute to this Heat team. His time in Dallas proved he could be a serviceable role player but he would have to accept the veteran’s minimum for the Heat to afford him and another decent veteran.
Evan Turner (Unrestricted) – Do the Heat roll the dice on Turner with their remaining cap space and hope it works out? He is young and talented but did fade into the background for Indiana last season. Risky but the upside is there.
Caron Butler (Unrestricted) – Butler thrived on the Thunder side after being bought out by the Bucks last season but would be commanding a lot more than the veterans minimum. He will slot right into the Heat line-up and contribute from the get go.
Richard Jefferson (Unrestricted) – Jefferson has been haunted by the massive contract he was given by the Spurs in the last two seasons and was really only in the league as an expiring contract. However, last season with the Jazz he rediscovered some of the magic that made him a good player and was even dunking in game. He won’t be commanding much so the Heat could pick him up on the cheap.
Other Possibilities: Greivis Vasquez (R), Emeka Okakor (U), Anthony Tolliver (U), C.J Miles (U), Danny Granger (U) and Francisco Garcia (U).
With a lot of big names already gone, it is hard to imagine the Heat being able to construct a roster that will be competitive for the entire regular season and last the distance in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
Does this leave the door open for LeBron to bail on Miami? Yes it does, but word is he has put a lot of thought into his legacy and switching teams would open up old Decision wounds with many NBA fans.
Another factor going against the Heat is the fact that the Lakers also need to quickly put together a roster and have a heap of cap space to potentially outbid the Heat.
I could wake up tomorrow and find the Heat trio have all signed for $5million each along with Melo, Gasol, Frye, Nowitski and Ariza, but right now it looks very shaky in South Beach.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
It's a strange situation alright. James not making a decision until he sees free agency unfold (which kind of plays a hand in how it unfolds), rumours that Bosh wants bigger money and is the target of a couple of teams and the fact that the free agents are slowly disappearing. Should be an interesting week with LeBron planning on meeting Pat Riley and possibly other teams face to face.
astro
Guest
So, Mark...Am stating to think you were onto something with this article...
Joe
Guest
More like 5 or 6 teams in the West Conference that Miami wouldnt beat in a 7 game series Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Warriors for sure would beat that Miami team that made the Finals after going thru a cupcake schedule in Eastern Conference. Id even say Memphis & Dallas may have beat Miami The Heats problem is they have to keep Wade so whether LeBron resigns or not with them, Wade is gonna be an issue. He can't play an NBA season anymore & LeBron knows it. Wade is done he is at best a 25 min player yet he still wants in the $15mil season range when in reality he should be on the veterans exemption salary
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah. I'd like to know cause is think LBJ is in most peoples top5 ever. Even 3
Calum
Guest
On one hand I understand how impressive Riley has been with this stuff in the past. On the other I think they're screwed.who can they get in for the 5-6 million that they have free'd up that will make them competitive? Yes they're still the best in the east, but they'll get don't by 2 or 3 teams in the west te way things stand...
astro
Guest
Yeah, that's the question now (going back to your article!) Still think much depends on what Wade and Bosh sign for...I really wonder how big a dip in salary, especially Wade, they'll make. Dirk just signed for 3yrs at $30mil...would Wade do that, or something similar? Who knows... And they could look to make moves beyond just signing free agents. I'm sure they're hoping Napier, and even Ennis develop for them and show promise in Summer League. But of those FAs available, I like guys like Jordan Hill, Alan Anderson and Xavier Henry. Guys who would fit the current system.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
This from Woj today. Would love to know who they are speaking with.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Agree that LeBron won't leave, especially if he will be offered the max like is rumoured. Who do you see Miami signing to build a competitive roster?
astro
Guest
The chances of Lebron leaving Miami are about 1%...and if anyone thinks its more than that consider the following: 1. Lebron is on vacation - would you go on vacation during the most critcial days of free agency if you were considering moving teams? 2. Lebron has no meetings lined up - Melo is going on 'tour' to Houston, LA etc...Lebron, nothing. His agent is out there trying to get as much leverage for his client as he can, but again, wouldn't you think Lebron would be actually meeting teams if he were going anywhere? 3. Miami are still the best team in the East - name another team in the East that would, today, threaten Miami, even with an ageing Wade? Maybe the Bulls, if Rose is healthy...that's it. This notion that "it is hard to imagine the Heat being able to construct a roster that will be competitive for the entire regular season and last the distance in the 2015 NBA Playoffs" is nonsense. The Heat don't need another Big name to contend...just adequate replacements for the Battier/Lewis wing spot, Birdman at centre and Chalmers at PG. 4. Miami are a very well run organisation - The Heat are up there with the Spurs in terms of the stability of their franchise. They have a great young coach, solid owner and a President who has won multiple rings. They are a high profile market and Florida has no income tax. Why leave if you don't have to? Yes, the Heat need some new guys. With the age of Battier, Anderson and Lewis, that was always going to be the case. But those new guys don't need to be superstars! Lebron stays. Miami sign a handful of good quality, but unexciting players, and are playing for a championship again next year. I've no clue if that will be enough to stop the Thunder, or Spurs, or whoever else in the West, but its by far and away Lebron's best bet.
mushi
Guest
Who is in your top 5?
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
Fair enough mate, agree with you there although for me James will never crack top 5 all-time. Just my own opinion. Top 10 certainly but not wishing to get into a 'he'll be number x all time' argument.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
No evidence, just speculation that another season without a decent supporting cast might be too much. He didn't exactly cover himself in glory during the playoffs last season. My point should have been around being good enough to cover the holes in the Heat roster. The Heat may end up having a worse team than last season unless they act quickly.
Mark
Guest
Sorry, my point was, he's always talked about in the same context as Jordan and Koke, who's better, worse, etc - it's an ongoin convo, and there's no point getting into it here. I didn't mean he NEEDED to win a championship in NYC to secure his legacy, he will go down as one of the greatest regardless of what he does. However, if Lebron wants to set himself apart winning a ring in NYC would certainly do that.
mushi
Guest
On Bosh again where is the evidence that can’t play those minutes night to night? He play 79 games and logged around 2000 of his 2531 minutes (good for 8th in Minutes played among big men that manned the C spot) at centre this year with an 8.6 +/- and 19 PER and played 79 games?
mushi
Guest
In effect yes because of the incumbents ability to meet with players prior to the deadline. It’s just a poorly thought out criticism when players re-sign in the first few days to suggest a team had any scope to enter negotiations with anything other than a ridiculous offer. Lowry’s agent reportedly called around to do a cursory check of if there was a god father offer out there and when there wasn't went back to the raps – so no scope for a meeting during the allowable period without a huge offer that Miami actually couldn't make. So disingenuous to suggest they missed a chance to meet with him during the free agency period. The heat asked for a meeting with gortat when free agency started but he said he was already negotiating with the wiz. So disingenuous to suggest they missed a chance to meet with him during the free agency period. Miami, without kidnapping these guys, had no chance to have a meeting.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
You mean the 6 championships(to date the only championships that Chicago have ever won - including 2 '3peats') isn't enough for Michael Jordan's legacy?
Justin Twell
Roar Guru
Jordan and Kobe didn't NEED to bring a championship to NYC to cement their legacy. Don't understand that comment at all. I'd love to see James go back to Cleveland, but doubt he will after Kyrie singing his max deal.
Joe
Guest
I highly doubt LeBron resigns in Miami anyway..Theres a lot of bad blood that has been brewing for awhile between LeBron & Wade as well as Heat management the past 12 months.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Are there rules against meeting with unrestricted free agents before they meet with their own teams? I don't think either of them signed at the deadline so Miami still had a chance of speaking with them. Bosh can still play heavy minutes, he just cant do it night in night out playing as the Heat's centre.
mark
Guest
Maybe he'll sign a two year deal (player option on the second) and then head to the Knicks after the first year. If the guy wants a legacy, there would be nothing bigger than bringing a championship to NYC, something Jordan or Kobe never did.