The Miami Heat are coming into the season with high expectations despite losing LeBron James in free agency and while Eric Bledsoe would be a dream target, now the team has some free agent options like Shawn Marion, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Ray Allen, Andray Blatche and Chris Singleton to look at as support for Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng, as that was one area where the team needed to improve after losing to the Spurs in the NBA finals.
The Miami Heat have been active in free agency already this season and they have added Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts as well as Luol Deng along with some major bench contributors like Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen. The team as also added Mario Chalmers and he should be thrilled about the addition of Deng, while names like Marion and Douglas-Roberts could be in the mix for the team. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat are looking to make some more moves from the bottom of the barrel in free agency and while Allen is likely going to the Cavs or retiring, there are still numerous players out there for the team to target.
Deng gives the team some major athleticism on both sides of the floor and while he is not LeBron James and can't replace him, he at least can make up for some of the production he takes back to Cleveland. Ramon Sessions is on the market and he could be an option, while teams like the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers have also been mentioned as options for him. Blatche could end up back in Brooklyn and he has also met with the Toronto Raptors and he could be a solid option along with Andersen down low for the team.
The Miami Herald writes that Douglas-Roberts could be in the mix for the team, as he had a solid year last season with Charlotte. Roberts has size and averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 49 games and his shooting could be very valuable as well. Last season he shot 44 percent overall from the field and hit over 37 percent from three and that is an area where the team could use some support if Ray Allen leaves or retires. The team also has looked in on Jordan Crawford and Chris Singleton, who also has interest from the Pacers this offseason.
Shawn Marion could be a nice option for the team, as he is still a versatile player that can contribute despite his old age. The Miami Heat have done this with veteran players over the past couple years and Marion could fit right into the rotation for the team if he signs. The Heat have a much deeper bench than they did last season already and that should help Wade, as he missed 30 games last season while resting up his knees.
The Miami heat may not be locks to win the east this season like last year, but with Deng signed they should be right in the mix. The Pacers have competition with the Bulls and Cavaliers as James returns to the central and that makes the east a much tougher conference than it was last season. If James gets Love to Cleveland, oh boy, that would be massive.
