The Miami Heat are coming into the season with high expectations despite losing LeBron James to the Cavs and some more free agent options to join Dwyane Wade include names like Andrew Bynum, Greg Oden, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Chris Singleton and this comes after the team really strengthened their team and bench with Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts.
According to ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein, the Heat considered on different occasions giving an offer sheet to Bledsoe and Monroe after LeBron James made his announcement about going back to Cleveland, but Riley opted to sign Luol Deng instead. The team likely made the smart move there, as the Pistons were planning to match, but reports from the Miami Herald also have Chris Singleton and Michael Beasley as potential targets to bring in, while Beasley and Greg Oden may come back after playing in Miami last season.
The Heat had issues with depth and their bench last year in the finals and that is one reason why Pat Riley addressed that early in the offseason. The team signed Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts early on and now they have Luol Deng as one of the new members of the Big 3. According to ESPN.com, the Heat are considering signing Michael Beasley back and they also have brought in Shawne Williams to give more depth off the bench and this comes as Greg Oden and Chris Singleton have been mentioned as potential free agent options as well.
Monroe could also be an option but that likely will be too costly for Miami right now. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pistons have talked with the Pacers about a deal for Roy Hibbert and this comes as Monroe has not had much interest on the market as a restricted free agent. The main reason for that has been the Pistons saying they plan on matching any offer he gets. Miami feels that adding Deng helps with the loss of LeBron James and now Chris Douglas-Roberts and Shawn Marion also could be potential fits.
Marion has been on the market for a while and according to Pro Basketball Talk, it's likely he signs with the Cavaliers over the Pacers, despite the fact that Indiana made a big push for him last week. The Pacers need someone to make up for the loss of Paul George and while Marion obviously can't be the player George is, he at least can help add some production for the team. At 36 Marion is getting up there in age, but he still is a versatile option and he is a strong defensive presence on the floor and in the middle under the basket as well.
Chris Bosh returned to the team on a five-year, $118 million deal and Dwyane Wade also returned despite James leaving and now the team has a new Big 3 and a new supporting cast. The team kept Norris Cole and Chris Andersen as well as Mario Chalmers and added Shabazz Napier along with Shawne Williams and Josh McRoberts and that gives the stars more support than they had last season.
