Will the Heat have a Supporting Cast?

Let me begin by saying that I am pro-Lebron. He is my favorite player in the League today, and I am excited that he will be "taking his talents to South Beach." We are talking about history in the NBA, two of the top 5 players in the league joining forces in an effort to win multiple NBA titles. While I think Lebron did not handle the announcement in the best way, any NBA fan has to be excited to see this lineup take the court next season and square off against some of the organically grown teams in the league. It is the ultimate experiment, and I think the Heat will win the title no matter who rounds out the roster.

But right now, the media powers that be would like you to believe that with only the "Holy Trinity,' Mario Chalmers, Da'Sean Butler, Dexter Pittman, and Jarvis Varnado, and 6 more minimum players, the Heat will not be able to win the East. I disagree, I think that there are plenty of serviceable free agents who can sign for the minimum and help them win the NBA title next year.

So I went to the free agent tracker at http://www.nba.com/freeagents/2010/ and looked at the free agents who may be left to sign for the minimum (here is a link for the minimum salary scale http://www.insidehoops.com/minimum-nba-salary.shtml) The qualities that the Heat should be looking for in players should be: 1) willing to sign for the minimum because of age or lack of other offers; 2) ability to shoot, especially from three; 3) a steadying veteran presence; 4) young players who may benefit from playing with three NBA all-stars and will rejuvenate their career.

With that being said, here are some of the players that may be available at each position (Ranked by fit.)

Point Guard:

1. Jason Williams - This is actually somewhat likely. Jason played for the Heat for three seasons from 05-08 and played at the University of Florida in college. After coming back from a brief season hiatus, Jason showed last year that he is still a great backup point guard. More importantly he shot 38% from deep last year. While White Chocolate has lost some of his flavor over the years, he still brings substance to the table. Jason played for the minimum last year, and would probably play again if he could play for a championship right away. He would even challenge Chalmers for starting minutes depending on how the youngster develops.
   


2. Eddie House - I know listing Eddie as a PG may be a little bit of a stretch, but the important thing to realize about the point guard on this team is that it won't be as important for them to bring up the ball, but they will have to be ready to catch and shoot, one thing that Eddie could do from day one. With Lebron and Wade bringing up the ball a high percentage of the time, Eddie could reprise the role he played for the 07-08 Celtics. In the 08-09 season in Boston, Eddie shot 44% from three, and he would be a great fit who would definitely sign for the minimum to go back to Miami who gave him his start in 2000.



3. Chucky Atkins - Predicting Chucky to come to Miami is like picking vanilla ice cream. Its not fun or cool, but Chucky has been a solid NBA point guard who can shoot the three for years. Chucky would be a decent twelth man, and a solid veteran presence.



4. Anthony Johnson - See Chucky Atkins. Except Anthony has almost no range, so he would not be an ideal fit on this team.
   


5. Allen Iverson - This is very unlikely for a few reasons: a) I don't think any contending team would want Allen to come in and possibly ruin the locker room chemistry b) Allen may not want the minimum as he has had reported financial issues. However, Allen still wants to play for a contender and if you sign him to the minimum it may be a decent gamble. This team definitely has the leadership to keep AI in line, and if he doesn't toe the line, it would be easy for Pat Riley to cut the cord. As far as fit, it isn't that great either. AI has never had consistent deep range, however he is a solid mid range shooter. After watching him play in Philly last year, I think he is ready to cede his role in order to fit in with a contender who can win a championship. This is very unlikely, but it would be great TV to see 3 potential hall of famers lace up the sneakers for a year or two.


6. Starbury - This is a little bit of a guilty pleasure for me. Much like AI it is very unlikely, but it would be easy to cut him loose if necessary. Marbury never got a chance to play extended minutes after the Isaiah scandal, and that's a shame. Remember, Starbury has avearged 18 pts and 7 assists over his career, and was an all-star caliber point guard in his day. This, like Iverson, could be a decent gamble if Erik Spoelstra has large supply of Tums.

Shooting Guards

1. Jerry Stackhouse - The 15-year vet tried to come back for a contender last year, and no one wanted him until midseason. Stackhouse brought great leadership and presence to the Bucks while shooting 34.6% from three and averaging 8.5 points per game. Also, if he joined the Heat, they may break the record for free throw attempts in a season, as Stack is known for getting to the line. Definitely a serviceable backup.




2. Michael Finley - While he might be long in the tooth at 37 years of age, Finley would be a proficient three-point shooter to bring off the bench. We saw last year that Finley doesn't mind playing limited minutes for a championship-caliber team. Finley can't do much else, but luckily the Heat won't need him to.
   
3. Roger Mason - This one may be a reach, but Mason is a good combo guard to bring off the bench. He probably could earn more than the minimum from another team, however last year the Spurs relegated him to the bench and decreased his minutes per game by 10. Mason is a three-point specialist, and may be willing to play one year for the minimum, so that he can get another payday later.
   
4. Sasha Pavlovic - I don't think there is any doubt that Sasha would play for the minimum (unless David Kahn gives him a 3 year deal for $15 million). Sasha is a former member of the Fighting Lebrons and would probably be able to be persuaded by the King to come get a ring. Sasha is incredibly inconsistent, but was a starter on the Cavs at various points in his career. He plays his best basketball with Lebron and has shot 35% from three over a 7 year career.

Small Forward

1. Steve Novak - The 4-year vet from the Clips is a dead eye shooter no doubt about it. He does little else, but this is exactly what the Heat need. Novak shot 48 % from three in the 07-08 season and has shot 40% over his career. He should be able to be snagged for the minimum, and he would love being the recipient of the drive and kicks from Lebron and Wade.




2. Jarvis Hayes - The former 10th overall pick has been mired in mediocrity since entering the league. However he has great form on his jumper and has shot 35.6% from three over is career. He really hasn't gotten minutes to show his skills, but coming off the bench on this team may rejuvenate his once promising career.


3. Adam Morrsion - Give the Freak a chance!!! We know Adam looks good (as good as possible) sitting next to Sasha Pavlovic on the bench in a suit. Much like Hayes, Morrison once was so promising that the Bobcats used the 3rd overall pick on the Gonzaga great. I just don't believe that his has digressed so much that he no longer can get any burn in an NBA game. Another last resort option, but may be a gamble that pays off. As a rookie, he averaged 12 pts a game and shot 33.7 % from three. Nothing great, but certainly someone who you could gamble on and hope the change of scenery and the presence of the Holy Trinity would help.


4. Wally Szczerbiak - Lebron could talk his former Cavs teammate out of retirement to get a ring. All Wally would have to do is sit in the corner and spot up for threes. It is a long shot, but I really like the fit.
   

Power Forward:

1. Juwan Howard - If Juwan wants to settle for the minimum, this journeyman could finally get his ring. He kept the Blazers afloat last year, while ACL's were popping left and right. Howard will definitely be a hot commodity amongst contenders this year, and the Heat may be priced out of the market. If not, Juwan would be a good backup power forward who can also play some center if necessary.
   
2. Kurt Thomas - Similar to Juwan, Kurt would have to take less money to win a ring. I could see him doing this, however other contenders are sure to make good offers to Kurt. He is a solid rebounder and loves the face-up jumper. More importantly, he would complement Bosh's style of play perfectly, and defensively would be a great presence inside to put a body on some of the bigs in the league and let Chris run free. Kurt would also be a great mentor to the young Heat bigs (Pittman and Varnado) by teaching them how to be a pro.


3. Sean May - Similar to Morrison, a former 13th overall pick who has become basically irrelevant due to injuries. If nothing else, he is six fouls and some great hustle on the glass. May is a banger and big body but also has the ability to hit the elbow jumper. Think Big Baby Davis without drool or the minutes. In the 06-07 season he averaged 11pts and 7 rebs. Also prior to signing with the Kings last season, they believed he might be a threat to take the starting job at power forward.
   
4. Brian Scalabrine - Witht eh arrival of Notre Dame alum, Luke Harangody, in Boston, Scal's role as the awkward energetic white guy in Boston may be over. If another team doesn't value him enough to make a better offer, Scalabrine and his jump shot would make sense in Miami. I am just worried about his skin holding up in Miami, get the man some SPF sixty or he is going to get some color on south beach!!! But seriously, Scal has shot 35% from 3 over his career.
   
5. Tim Thomas - I don't need to say much here, he doesn't play defense and doesn't rebound. But he would stretch the floor and benefit from the Heat's situation

Center

1. Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Big Z could definitely earn money elsewhere, but last year we saw a big show of loyalty from the big fella after resigning for the minimum to stay in Cleveland. Z really wants to win a championship, and I think its safe to say that isn't going to happen in Cleveland. We know Lebron loves him, and basketball wise this is a great fit. Z would eat up space on defense, block shots, and be a defined center to play with Bosh and help him. Also with his jump shot, Z would fit in on offense if he could get down the floor in time.
   
2. Theo Ratliff - Purely for defensive presence, and bodying up the other centers in the east so Bosh doesn't have to. He has no offensive game, but I don't think there will be too many shots to go around, so this could be a good fit.


3. Jason and Jarron Collins - If this happened, it would be the most exciting signing in Miami this year! Reuniting the Collins brothers would actually be a decent idea, as that would be 12 fouls to give, and some big bodies to shield Bosh.


4. Randolph Morris - Randolph has had a strange career. Morris averaged 16 pts and 7 rebs his senior year at Kentucky, and was signed by the Knicks as a free agent (he entered the draft without an agent after his freshman year, and was not able to re-enter the draft). Back in high school, Morris was considered equal if not better than Dwight Howard and Josh Smith (AAU teammates) and may be a decent long-term gamble to develop. I think if you put him in this team, it may give him the motivation to get serious. At 6'10" and 270 lbs, Morris would provide some size and he has good athleticism and skill.