Photo Credit: Keith Allison on Flickr
The Miami Heat have historically built their team through free agency, but this upcoming draft has a lot of young talent that the Heat can utilize. At pick number 31, my top three prospects that the Heat should look at are PG/SG Shelvin Mack, PG Darius Morris, and C Keith Benson. The two main weaknesses on the team are at point guard and center. Mike Bibby is old and currently looks anemic in the playoffs. Mario Chalmers plays good defense, but is very streaky with his three point shot and commits dumb fouls.
Butler PS/SG Shelvin Mack would be a great fit for Miami. He averaged 16 points, three assists, and almost five boards a game this past season. At 6'3 215 pounds, he is a combo guard with NBA size. He showed great leadership last season in leading Butler to the National Championship game. Being able to play both PG and SG is a plus, but PG is where Mack will most likely be put. I believe he can immediately contribute and maybe beat out Mario Chalmers due to his more versatile offensive game.
PG Darius Morris out of Michigan is a very intriguing pick. At 6'4 190 pounds, he has a big frame for a PG and can be affective at the next level. He is a solid play-maker and one of the best guards in the Big Ten. This past season he averaged 15 points and nearly 7 assists a game on 49% shooting. Morris is an extremely efficient player whom the Miami Heat can use. The only down side to Morris is his three point shooting and free throw shooting needs improvement.
The Miami Heat have a slew of centers at their disposal, but most are just big bodies to clog the lane. The center position needs an upgrade, although 2010 draft pick Dexter Pittman has seen very limited minutes.
This is where Oakland University's Keith Benson comes in. At 6'11 225, Benson has NBA size and can contribute right away for the Heat. He has improved throughout his college career in nearly every facet. This past season he averaged nearly 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks a game. His ability to block shots and score will intrigue Pat Riley to acquire this center.
The Miami Heat will have eight free agents at the end of this season. Of those eight I believe the Heat should not re-sign C Erik Dampier. Dampier played a decent amount of minutes earlier in the season, but hasn't played much since. With all the other centers the Heat have and the ability to acquire one in free agency or the draft, I think Dampier will go.
The Heat should re-sign SF James Jones. James Jones won the 3 point shoot-out, has led the Heat all year in three point field goal percentage, and has made clutch shots so far in the playoffs. Without a doubt, James Jones should be the first player the Heat should re-sign.
As far as free agency is concerned, the Heat will have a tough time getting anybody without a trade. The Heat don't have much cap room, but my top 3 realistic free agency targets are C Deandre Jordan, PG Sebastian Telfair, and C Kwame Brown.
Although a restricted free agent, Deandre Jordan would be an excellent piece to add to the already talented Miami Heat. His athleticism and excitement in the post would greatly help this Heat team that has centers nearly entering retirement. At 6'11 265 pounds and still only 22 years old, the sky is the limit for this young man.
Considered one of the biggest busts ever, Kwame Brown might get a laugh or two if the Heat were to acquire him. But the Heat need youth at the center position, and he can be had for league minimum. He averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds on 51% shooting this past season.
Lastly, the Heat should give Sebastian Telfair a look, especially if Bibby doesn't get re-signed. He is still young at only 25 years old and is a 36% three point shooter. For his career, he averages nearly 8 points and 4 assists a game.
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