Heat's Offseason Options

Per request, I'll try to outline what the Heat should be looking at this coming offseason.

First off, if Shawn Marion doesn't opt out, then forget about being big time spenders. We won't have enough money to offer anyone a large contract, so we'd have to wait until 2009 for cap space. If he does opt out, then either we can re-sign him to a cheaper deal, or let him walk and go after a guy like Elton Brand or Baron Davis.

It's imperative the Heat get rid of Haslem and/or Blount's contracts for someone who can contribute, which is unlikely. If the Heat do draft Michael Beasley, then either of those two players become expendable. The problem is that the trade deadline has passed, so trading for expiring contracts no longer becomes a good idea. We would still have to wait till the 2009 offseason to spend that cash.

What I've suggested is packing Haslem and someone else to the Clippers for Maggette and Brand. Maybe letting them have Shawn Marion. Both Brand and Maggette look to leave the Clippers without giving them compensation. Brand has one year left that he, like Marion, can opt out of. If he chooses to leave, the Clippers are left high and dry. By trading them a pair of solid players for their two guys and a pick, both teams do very well.

Wade would have his sidekick in Elton Brand, and Corey Maggette would work well as a 3rd option offensively. Add in Beasley or Rose as the 4th option and you've got a playoff team that can make an impact in a very weak East. That lineup would instantly be Top 3. Add in a 2nd offseason of good drafting and signing a decent role player, then you've got a potential title contender again.

However, lots of things have to happen for this things to go well. Banks makes 4 mil/3 more years, Blount makes 8 for 2 more, and Haslem is looking at 6 for 2 more years. That's a lot of cap space tied into players who probably don't fit into the system we want down here in Miami. Haslem is excellent as a role player doing dirty work, but because of that is probably our best trade chip. We had to unload one of these contracts for an expiring one before the deadline to become major players in the 2008 offseason.

Instead, hope the Heat go after a guy like DeSagna Diop to play center. If they don't overpay him, they still have a solid core of Wade, Marion, Haslem, Diop, draft pick, Jason Williams (at a bargain price) and hopefully an improved Dorell Wright and Daequan Cook. The most important thing is that you don't see us giving extended minutes to guys like Alexander Johnson and Chris Quinn.

Guys like Keyon Dooling or Jose Calderon might be available at point guard, but Miami could fill in that need cheaply with Derrick Rose or TJ Augustin. As far as landing a huge free agent like Gilbert Arenas or Antawn Jamison, that sort of deal is impossible this offseason.

Also, next season should be very quiet in terms of trades. We no longer have any expiring contracts worth much. The only one we'll have next season, unless he opts out or signs an extension, is Shawn Marion. And he might well be in the long-term plans for this franchise. This was the year to make a move for a Mike Miller type with our expiring contracts. Unfortunately, it didn't pan out.

Ideally, Pat Riley will be patient and realize he has a playoff team next season if he signs one decent free agent and the rookie is productive. If he doesn't pull the trigger on a risky move that brings in older veterans with long-term contracts, then this team is prime to be a contender in 2009.