Heat Free Agency; Who Gets Resigned

[Poe]

I haven't written much of anything in a while, and I think that's what most members liked about me was when I put a good load of effort into posts like these. So, here is goes...

 

 

 

 

 

With the high hopes of grabbing a maximum contract value free agent, the Heat will also have to put a good deal of consideration over which of its 12 expiring contracts should be resigned this summer.

 

With James Jones contract of $4.6M likely to be bought out, that leaves Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers as its only guaranteed players to return next year (assuming neither of them get traded). Along with their 3 draft picks in Dexter Pittman, DeShaun Butler, and Jarvis Vernado, as well as the possible returning players from the Euroleague in Patrick Beverly and Robert Dozier, that leaves the line up standing at 7 players.

 

 

 

So without further ado, with the order being from largest priority to the least, here are the free agents that the Heat should consider resigning:

 

 

 

1. Dwyane Wade

 

2009/2010 averages: 26.6 points (47% FG, 30% 3PT, 76% FT), 6.5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 36 minutes per game.

 

Reasoning: Wade is a superstar, a top 3 player in the league, and the face of the Miami Heat franchise. Needless to say, D-Wade is on the very top of the list of the Heat's priorities this summer before anything else. He has said many times himself how the Heat is his first option this summer, though he is still waiting for Pat Riley to meet him halfway by bringing in what he wants.

 

 

2. Udonis Haslem

 

2009/2010 averages: 10 points (49% FG, 76% FT) and 8 rebounds in 28 minutes per game, as well as leading the league in double-doubles off the bench with 21 total.

 

Reasoning: For Miami, Udonis Haslem goes beyond his abilities on the court, including his work ethic, commitment, loyalty, positive attitude, unselfishness, leadership, and everything else you need for a team with a championship goal. Beyond that, he grew up in Florida, played for the Miami Senior High School, played 4 years for the University of Florida, and played 7 years for the Miami Heat. Loyalty goes both ways in this situation, and Miami would absolutely hate to lose UD.

 

Pat Riley has spoken very highly of Udonis, even going as far as saying that he "loves him like a son". Just to show how much Miami wants him back, the Heat organization threw a big "we want U back" party on his birthday on June 9th in appreciation to his contributions over the years, giving him the best birthday he had "in 30 years".

 

Though the likelihood of resigning him this summer is very slim due to salary reasons, Riley will still do everything he can to bring him back. If Haslem does leave, he will be dearly missed.

 

 

3. Dorell Wright

 

2009/2010 averages: 7.1 points (46% FG, 39% 3PT, 89% FT), 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.7 steals in 21 minutes per game.

 

Reasoning: Dorell's versatility, athleticism, potential, and all around abilities combined makes him a valuable player on any team and a must keep for the Heat. Though last year he didn't bring the most awe-inspiring numbers, he continually showed signs of tapping into his potential as the year progressed, and during the month of March before the playoffs, he averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 26 minutes of action per game off the bench.

 

It may sound a bit strange to talk about potential for a 6 year vet. Since his career has been so held back with injuries, he never had a true chance to gain the consistent playing time in order to bring out the most in his abilities. He is still only 24 years old, and still has time to prove himself. Next year will be the first year following a full season without a serious injury, and that will be the year where we will see his true game. Hopefully it will be proven in Miami.

 

 

4. Quentin Richardson

2009/2010 averages: 9 points (43% FG, 40% 3PT, 73% FT), 5 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 27 minutes per game.

 

Reasoning: Q-Rich is replaceable, but his chemistry with Wade is not. He is a long time friend of Wade's, they new each other before becoming professional athletes, and have talked together for a long time about one day playing for each other. The 09-10 season was like a dream come true for them. Resigning Q-Rich (as well as D-Wright, he is also a close friend of both Q and Wade) may play a part in convincing Dwayne to stay.

 

A part from that, Q has proven to have a nice work ethic since his trade to the team, losing roughly 25 pounds over the summer before last season. Riley has compared his toughness and work ethic to Udonis Haslem. Last season, he contributed with his deadly 3 point jumpshooting with solid perimeter defender, as well as adapting the Riley defensive mentality of drawing charges. With the possibility of a max free agent taking his starting role this summer, hopefully Q-Rich will be willing to take a pay cut and continue his contributions off the bench.

 

 

5. Jermaine O'Neal

 

2009/2010 averages: 13.6 points (53% FG, 72% FT), 7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 28 minutes per game.

Reasoning: Though JO's piss-poor postseason still leaves an awful taste in every Heat fan's mouth, you can't ignore the fact that he is still one of the better options the Heat have this free agency at the center position. Perhaps he can be replaced, but with the majority of the scoring coming from Wade, Beasley, and "player X" from free agency, the diminished offensive role may be the best thing for JO at this point in his career. His defense, rebounding, and (usually) high field goal percentage, he can still be a solid contributor as a starter for a championship caliber team. Again, it is not an absolute must to keep him, and if the Heat can find a replacement (like Brendan Haywood), he may be as good as gone.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Heat free agents that are worth mentioning:

 

Joel Anthony

2009/2019 averages: 2.7 points (48% FG, 72% FT), 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 17 minutes per game off the bench.

 

Reasoning: Joel is a good shot blocker and screen setter off the bench, though he provides little else unfortunately. He is a poor rebounder and a poor finisher around the basket for his position. His role as a back up center has already been replaced by Dexter Pittman, and the Heat already drafted a similar player to Joel in Jarvis Vernado.

 

Carlos Arroyo

2009/2010 averages: 6.1 points (48% FG, 28% 3PT, 84% FT), 3.1 assists, and 0.5 steals in 22 minutes per game.

 

Reasoning: He did a solid job fulfilling the role as a stopgap throughout the year. He played temporary parts as a bench player and a third stringer before finally settling as a starter before the postseason. He is a pure point guard that lacks the complete talent to start for a contending NBA team. With the Heat likely to sign a point guard this offseason, with Mario Chalmers continuing his role as a back up, Carlos Arroyo is likely to look for a role on another team.

Edited June 27, 2010 by Poe

[Jenneral]

I think they'll keep both Wade and Haslem for sure. Jermaine O'Neal would also be nice for you guys to keep at the right price.

 

You get a +1 from me. Anyone who puts time into a post like this deserves it.

[Nitro]

It's so hard to make this list for a team whose entire roster is basically gutted heading into FA. I also have no idea how much some of these FA's are going to ask for, and if another team will come in and overpay for their services.

 

Regardless, here's my list, which is largely based on assuming the Heat will sign a star PF this offseason. Also, my decisions are with the assumption that the Heat will be a contender next year with a big-time talent infusion...

 

1) Dwyane Wade

2) Udonis Haslem

3) Jermaine O'Neal

4) Quentin Richardson

5) Carlos Arroyo

6) Dorrel Wright

7) Joel Anthony

 

Wade and Haslem need no explaination.

 

I put JO at 3rd because it's VERY hard to find a center as good defensively as he is that also possesses a nice offensive arsenal. Heat fans, as Poe mentioned, are probably all fuming over his 2010 post-season performance, but remember this- JO was a 2nd/3rd scoring option for the Heat the last 2 seasons. Next year the Heat should have the type of talent to where he will have that burden taken off him, and he can focus simply on defense/rebounding and finishing off the open looks that he gets. I probably wouldn't offer him any more than a 2 year contract, but the good thing is neither will any other team.

 

Q-Rich is a terrific 3pt shooter, very good defensively since he lost the weight, and he's tough. Replacable, but he'd be an ideal bench player.

 

Love Carlos Arroyo. He's smart, well-rounded and rarely makes mistakes handling the ball. Perfect backup PG in certain situations.

 

Dorrel Wright...eh. He's young and still has some upside, but playing over 44 games only twice in 6 seasons would make me weary. Still, he's young and could add depth to the bench.

Edited June 27, 2010 by Nitro1118

[Riot]

Haslem is exactly who I'd love to have on the Magic. Hard worker, good rebounder, no slouch on offense, like a better Brandon Bass pretty much I guess.

[Jenneral]

Haslem is exactly who I'd love to have on the Magic. Hard worker, good rebounder, no slouch on offense, like a better Brandon Bass pretty much I guess.

I'd personally like Haslem on the Bucks too. He's one of those players that can put up 15 points with 7 rebounds before you even notice he was in the game. He goes about his work quietly and efficiently.

[Flash]

I think if we do sign Amare or Bosh then you'll see JO be retained at Michael Beasley be our SF. Then we can use our other cap room on a legit starting PG such as Felton and then build depth on the bench.

 

I think with the picks of Pittman and especially Varnardo, Joel is as good as gone right now.

 

I'd like to see this lineup come opening night:

 

Felton/Chalmers

Wade/Ray Allen?/Dorell

Beasley/Q/Dorell

Amare or Bosh/Haslem/Beasley

Jermaine/Pittman/Varnardo

[SRV]

I think O'Neal is gone, he showed no effort during the playoffs, and he is getting up there in age, he won't come cheap either. I would love to pretty much resign Haslem and Wright. Although, I think if Butler is healthy, he is pretty much as good as Wright, so I doubt he is coming back.

 

Really the only guys we NEED to sign are Wade and Haslem, everyone else is expendable until we have a general idea of who is in the starting rotation.

Edited June 27, 2010 by SRV