The Retooling Thread: What do we do now

[HIF]

I would prefer a defnesive big that stops people penetrating at will (not Jwill)

[Ballwise]

I would prefer a defnesive big that stops people penetrating at will (not Jwill)

Very few of those around that are not named, Howard, Camby, Bynum, Stoudamire, Dalembert, Kaman, Chandler.

[Lane1974]

-= original quote snipped =-



Very few of those around that are not named, Howard, Camby, Bynum, Stoudamire, Dalembert, Kaman, Chandler.

not true, there are role playing defensive minded centers like Diop, Brendan Haywood, Foyle, Etan Thomas (should he come back healthy), Pryzbilla, etc.

[Ballwise]

I agree but those don't stop "people penetrating at will" imo.

[radikalBaller]

How about Kwame on the cheap ? he is ok on D but that s about it

Magloire also comes to my mind, 2 other big we should like too are reggie evans and kurt Thomas

[HeatInOhio]

How about Kwame on the cheap ? he is ok on D but that s about it

Kwame is pretty useless even to a team in need of big men like us. I would personally pass and hopefully the FO does the same.

[radikalBaller]

Thing is we don t have much to invest in a great defensive big , they re expensive and we have other holes like pg and shooting

As they said before, the only bigs that fit the bill aka Camby bynum wallace Chandler kaman biedrins dalembert are expensive and i m not sure their team would part with them

Oden would be the perfect but that s a pipe dream

[HeatSince88]

Having seen our new lineup in action, I think there's 3 main ingredients we need to bring this team to an elite level. Given that we have a high 1st rounder upcoming, at least the MLE at our disposal, and a few tradeable pieces to get either a player or future cap space back, we should be able to fill all 3 needs in the next year or so ...

1) Franchise post-up guy
Things are just so much easier when you have a guy you can throw the ball to in the post, have him create spacing for everyone else, have him get the other team in foul trouble, and get you some easy baskets in the halfcourt. It is painfully clear that our halfcourt offense will struggle without such a post player.

Best reasonable options:
- Elton Brand (free agency or trade of whoever we take Top 5). This guy is a proven post guy, has shown in the past that he wants to come here, and we have two chances at signing him this offseason (via his opt-out) or next offseason when his contract ends. I have the feeling that if we had $15 million in cap room either offseason, he'd be ours. There are many ways to create that type of room and still keep Marion, though the most likely involve us waiting until next offseason. Besides having an efficient post game, Brand is also great in transition and a good shot-blocker for his size.

- Michael Beasley (Top 2 Pick): I had questions about this guy myself because it seems like he is just 6'7" to 6'8", which would detract from his type of game at the NBA level. But then I thought ... wait a sec, this guy just turned 19 years old. He is not done growing, just as Dorell Wright wasn't, Garnett wasn't, etc. There's no reason to think he can't end up at least a solid 6'9" or better. Add to that his game fits well next to Marion/Wade, and I'd love to have him.

I excluded guys like Jermaine O'Neal, Eddie Curry, Zach Randolph, becase they just have WAYYY too many issues to crack this list IMO. That's why they're available for peanuts to begin with.

2) Shot-Blocking Center
Blount has been playing well on the offensive end, but we sorely miss an enforcer defensively. Teams are taking it to the rim at will, then scoring easily at the rim and/or opening up the perimeter for easy jumpers after the defense collapses. Zo's return could help for about 10 minutes a game, but we need someone we can count on for longer minutes than that, and for beyond just next year. Having a better defense will also gives us more transition opportunities (it's hard to run when you're picking the ball out of the net) and thus easier baskets.

Best reasonable options:
- Draft / Thabeet, Hibbard, Jordan, etc - If we fall out of the Top 2, which is pretty likely due to lottery odds, there's obviously a good chance Riley goes big to fill our center need. There are a number of 7-footers who can fill the role of shot-blocker on defense and lane-filler on offense. While we shouldn't rely heavily on a rookie center right away, a 3-man rotation of Zo/Blount/#1Pick at center would give us plenty of options there in the short-term, as well as (hopefully) an answer longterm.

- Desagana Diop - A free agent his year and still young, he could probably be had for the MLE or less. He won't set the world on fire, but can play his role blocking shots and rebounding. We'd have a decent offense/defense rotation at center with he and Blount.

- Trade of Haslem - I don't know what's out there for Haslem, but he has value and I just don't think he fits in our current construction. The priority being a dominant post guy, that guy will probably be a PF like Brand or Beasley, pushing Marion to SF, and Udonis out of the starting lineup. Again, I don't know who's available, but guys like Milicic, Sean Williams, Haywood, and Blatche are all young guys in the Top 20 in blocks per 48 minutes and certainly aren't untouchable. We could also try a sign-and-trade for Biedrins with Haslem as a centerpiece.

I left out guys with ridiculous contracts (Dalembert) because we have to consider salary structure going forward. Arison, at some point, will start being anal about the luxury tax again, and we can't afford to be paying $12 million for a couple of blocked shots per game, while also paying max-type deals to Wade/Marion/Brand.

3) PG to Push the Ball and Shoot It
Seems like our PG is gonna end up with a ton of open shots playing with Wade and Marion. Wouldn't it be nice if he could hit those shots? In addition, it would be nice if he could push the ball upcourt in an uptempo-style offense. He doesn't have to be a Nash-like distributor ... as long as he can get the ball upcourt and into the hands of Wade, Marion, Brand/Beasley, etc, we'll be just fine.

Best reasonable options:
- Draft / Rose, Bayless, Gordon: I think all these guys are ready to come in and contribute from Day 1. While some have better pure PG skills than others, the ones who aren't "true" PGs would still fit very nicely next to a lead guard like D-Wade. Still, the priority in the draft should be Beasley, because you don't get many chances at a franchise post player in this league. But if he's not there, one or more of these guys will be available.

- Delonte West / Chris Duhon - I may be in the minority here, but I love Delonte West's game as it would fit next to Wade. He can be had for a portion of the MLE this offseason, as Seattle has a glut at PG and isn't looking to take on salary. Duhon is another FA option, but I don't like him as much in an open court game as I do West.

I left out older guys (Kidd, Bibby, A-Miller) because they are all on the decline and either have questionable jumpers or would require trading some significant pieces to get ... whereas we can just get someone for "free" in free agency who will be hitting their prime instead of their twilight. Although if you want to get techincal about it, each of those old guys could help us clear huge cap room to go get Brand next offseason ... but to keep things simple I decided to "go young" while also filling what we need at the position. I also excluded Calderon because he's a restricted FA and isn't going anywhere, unless perhaps Colangelo gets a boner for a European dude in the lottery and wants to trade us Calderon's rights for him ...? Nah, ain't happening.

If I were to add a 4th ingredient, it would be another shooter or two. But I'm not really concerned about getting that because those guys are easy to find if you're looking for them. The upcoming FA list includes plent of 3-point shooting, some cheap and some maybe not: K Rush, T Lue, S Stoudamire, D George, J Hayes, JR Smith, D Gibson, M Barnes, A Croshere, S Vujacic, JC Navarro, C Jacobsen, B Nachbar, P Garrity, G Giricek, B Barry, M Finley, B Udrih, R Mason, J Dixon, and plenty more.

So those are the acquisitions we should focus on in order of their importance if the goal is winning another championship. Make it happen Riles!

[HIF]

What's happened to Magloire. I liked him when he was in the East, I understand his play in the west but now he can't even get in the Nets team when Krstic was injured.

Has he lost it? Is it just age?

[Ballwise]

I agree with your assesments of Miami's needs

1) Franchise post-up guy

Best reasonable options:
- Elton Brand: as you said seems unrealistic to get him this season or offseason

- Michael Beasley (Top 2 Pick): I'd love to have him.



2) Shot-Blocking Center


Best reasonable options:
- Draft / Thabeet, Hibbard, Jordan, etc -

Don't like Hibbert personally and Jordan seems like a far fetched prospect. I really want us to stay away from Brook Lopez, a bust waiting to happen imo.

- Desagana Diop - A free agent his year and still young, he could probably be had for the MLE or less. He won't set the world on fire, but can play his role blocking shots and rebounding.

I disagree about how much it would cost us, probably the whole MLE and I don't think he's worth it. Furthermore, Cuban wants to keep him and will offer the same which starkly diminishes our odds to get him

- Trade of Haslem - Again, I don't know who's available, but guys like Milicic, Sean Williams, Haywood, and Blatche are all young guys in the Top 20 in blocks per 48 minutes and certainly aren't untouchable. We could also try a sign-and-trade for Biedrins with Haslem as a centerpiece.

Don't think GS would do it, Milicic isn't available and S. Williams is a PF imo. That leaves Blatche and Haywood, I'd prefer the first but Washington is high on him.

I left out guys with ridiculous contracts (Dalembert) because we have to consider salary structure going forward. We can't afford to be paying $12 million for a couple of blocked shots per game, while also paying max-type deals to Wade/Marion/Brand." Agree totally

3) PG to Push the Ball and Shoot It

Best reasonable options:
- Draft / Rose, Bayless, Gordon: I think all these guys are ready to come in and contribute from Day 1. While some have better pure PG skills than others, the ones who aren't "true" PGs would still fit very nicely next to a lead guard like D-Wade. Still, the priority in the draft should be Beasley, because you don't get many chances at a franchise post player in this league. But if he's not there, one or more of these guys will be available.

Don't think Gordon fits the picture, I prefer Mayo

- Delonte West / Chris Duhon - I may be in the minority (yep) here, but I love Delonte West's game as it would fit next to Wade. He can be had for a portion of the MLE this offseason. Duhon is another FA option.

Delonte is a back-up imo. Duhon is ok but isn't great either, I would add Udrih, I like the guy as a PG and he can shoot.

If I were to add a 4th ingredient, it would be another shooter or two. But I'm not really concerned about getting that because those guys are easy to find if you're looking for them. I agree

Magloire could be usefull as our starting Center but we should have moved Blount in that case and sign a back-up shotblocker. I also wonder why this guy has fallen given his proven potential earlier in his career. He's not even that old, the guy is 30.

[CRHeel94]

Diop could be a very interesting option for the rotation at the 5.

[OAKTREE NYK1]

Great breakdown Heat88. Very good read

[OAKTREE NYK1]

If we can somehow finagle Kyle Lowry from the Grizzlies I would be very pleased. Lowry and Banks could be our future at PG hence letting us concentrate on drafting a solid post bigman in the draft.


SF Mike Miller 6'8
PG Kyle Lowry 6'0

for

PG Jason Williams 6'3
SG Dequan Cook 6'5

I think it makes complete sense because we are assuming the contract of Miller. We also give straight up draft value in terms of Cook and Lowry because I think they where both picked in the 20's. Memphis loses the glut at PG and adds an up and coming 2 guard in Cook while we add an up and coming PG in Lowry. This deal makes sense for both clubs.

[Ballwise]

Just noticed that the draft seems to be the top option for our 3 needs and unfortunately we can only pick once.

The fact that we draft after our experings become useless is even less appealing.

I't'll be pretty interesting to see if Riley moves one of our expirings for another need or role player and more so to see which position that player will fill.

Hopefully it is not M. Miller and I'm not a fan of getting Lowry as well. Not that I don't like both players. But Miller would wreck our capsituation without putting us over the top. Lowry is another back-up PG, this would leave us with two back-up PG's and that is not really a desired situation.

[miamiballer]

its a good deal but where does miller fit here? i hope you dont plan on starting marion long term at pf...it would make sense to me if we do this w/ the assumption that marion opts out and sign brand

[OAKTREE NYK1]

Miller would be our shooter off the bench.

[Ballwise]

Assume we keep the worst record in the League. We'll be assured of a top 4 # pick. Let's say we don't get Beasley as the chances are around 1/4, we'll select our future PG: Rose, Bayles, Mayo or Gordon for those who like him.

We've adressed one of our 3 needs: 1

[Mourning_Heat_33]

Williams, Davis, Cook Alexander, future protected first (expiring contracts, young players, pick)

for

Brand, filler (third piece to the puzzle)

Draft Bayless (PG, shooter, pesky defender, can shoot from anywhere)

Resign Zo

Try and shop Blount and Smush, but no longer a necessity

USE MLE: could shore up whatever we feel is the most glaring weakness, more help at PG? (JCN, Calderon), help at SG/SF? (Pietrus), help at PF/C (Magloire, others?)

Bayless 25 minutes 10ppg 4apg
Wade 36 minutes 24 ppg 7 apg
Marion 36 minutes 19 ppg 9 rpb
Brand 36 minutes 19 ppg 10 rpg
Haslem 35 minutes 10 ppg 8 rpg

bench of Banks 23 minutes 8 ppg 1.5 spg, Wright 35 minutes 12 ppg 4 rpg, Zo 13 minutes 6 ppg 2 bpg, MLE player 10 ppg and adjust minutes accordingly

reserve pieces Quinn, Blount, Smush, Barron?

[HeatInOhio]

If Marion doesn't opt out then Brand isn't an option most likely. The only way would be if we dealt Haslem and Blount together for expirings leaving us thinner than Steven King up front. Even then it would be close. Assuming we extend Dorell the qualifying offer, Wright plus our draft choice is going to add another 5 to 6 million in salaries on top of what we have now. That puts us at 59ish mill in guaranteed contracts for next year. If we dealt Haslem and Blount for all expirings, it brings us down to the 45 mill area. This year's cap is 55.6 million so we only have 10 mill in the current cap space model. It should increase some but either way its a risky proposition.

[radikalBaller]

For miami think navaro is better than lowr, we already have banks that play a similar game