In Search of Miami's Supporting Cast

When this whole cockamamy idea was first floated we started talking about the possibilities at each position to fill in a potential LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh team.

Now that this whole thing is, unbelievably, happening, let's take a look at some of our options, with free agency having filtered the options. Things have shifted dramatically with the emerging idea that they'll be able to potentially do a sign-and-trade with Cleveland which would clear cap space and give them the midlevel exception to use. But what should they be looking at?

The Heat are going to need three types of players. Support starters (2), a bench mob (4), and roster-fillers (5). Their ranking on our Top 50 Free Agents is in parentheses (where applicable). The idea here is not that the Heat should acquire all of these players, but just to consider who might be fits for the fearsome threesome.



Share Starters:

Mario Chalmers: Hey, they don't even have to go out and get one of the guys! Chalmers is already around, and he's serviceable. OK, that's a lie -- he's got a 10.3 PER. But his assist ratio (21%) is decent, he's affordable, and he's still very young. If the Heat are unable to find a superior point guard in free agency, Chalmers can get the job done in a jiff.

But if he can't ...

Nate Robinson (25): If anyone under 28 is likely to take a paycut to be a part of this team, it's Robinson. Robinson is well liked in the locker room and would provide a significant spark if two of the Big 3 were having a rough night. Convincing Robinson to leave Boston might be a trick, and of course, the money is questionable. But if the Heat are able to get their mid-level exception back, Robinson would be a fantastic find at point.

Joel Anthony: The Heat extended the qualifying offer to Anthony, and rightfully so. Six-foot-nine and 245 pounds is far below the ideal size for a center, but at least is a working solution. All he really needs to do is rebound. Unfortunately, he doesn't really even do that well, only nabbing 6.8 per 36 minutes last season.

Of course, if you want a better option...

Brad Miller (48): This would be the ultimate coup. Forget Mike Miller for the possible MLE. Brad Miller would be a fantastic fit here. A big, rebounding veteran willing to play for a reasonable amount of money, who has three point range and can hit from the perimeter. It gives them a ridiculous amount of flexibility while giving Bosh the center he needs. His rebounding would need to immediately improve from what Ziller called "unacceptable" to "standard."

Shaquille O'Neal (18): Oh, it could never happen. But think of how perfect it would be. Shaq takes the minimum to get one more to tie Kobe. Does it with James. He already knows Wade. He liked South Beach before things went sour. And it's already the most obnoxious team on the planet, in terms of star power, why not add some Shaq Diesel? Shaq gives them what they need, a huge body down low that can rebound and put back shots. The big complication? Chris Bosh. Shaq had some nasty words for the new Heat power forward, who may object to bringing in a guy who pulled that on him in the media.

Allen Iverson: Yeah. Now we're talking. Sure, he's a shooting guard that plays point guard. Sure, all he knows how to do is shoot and he can't set up an offense and his shot selection is terrible. But he could be the big redemption story for the Heat, helping them win a title in a Gary Payton type role, only without the defense and with a lot of unnecessary dribbling. This makes zero sense from a basketball standpoint -- it's like cutting three inches off Wade and giving him deteriorating athleticism and bad shot selection, then sticking him at point next to himself -- but man, would it be fun. The ultimate personality team.

Bench Mob:

Mike Miller (28): Miller is heavily being rumored as an option for the Heat at $30 million. The question there is if Miller would start or be a bench player. Conceivably, with both Wade and James on the floor, you wouldn't even need a real point guard. You're versatile and talented enough to win without one. Which could mean Miller takes the floor as the starting two-guard. Miller gives them a veteran not too over the hill who can defend and knock down threes. He's a value guy and brings a lot of things. His shooting is most important -- he just needs to remember that. The Heat are going to want those corner threes knocked down when they draw defenders.

Quentin Richardson: Beloved by D-Wade, a consummate professional and a guy who can knock down threes. Richardson fills several holes for the mega-team. If Wade's grabbing a rest (or injured), Richardson can slide in and run a slowed down version of the Heat perimeter offense, running the two-man game with Bosh or staying available for the drive-and-kick from LeBron. If James is the one drinking Gatorade, Richardson can be part of a smaller lineup for the Heat, to counter the faster teams they face.

Udonis Haslem (22): You need a guy off the bench who can punish your opponents defensively, and that's Haslem. A fan favorite in Miami, Haslem's losing his starting gig to Chris Bosh. But this gives him an opportunity to win a second title with the Heat, and he knows he'll be respected in Miami. Working in smaller sets alongside Bosh, he won't surrender many rebounds and can play dogged defense on the tougher assignments that Bosh may not be able to handle.

Jordan Farmar (31): Oh, the sweet vengeance. Farmar gets a chance to put a hurting on the Lakers for never believing in him while running backup for a trio of superstars. Unleashed from the triangle, Farmar might be able to challenge for the starter's spot, and would fit in well with South Beach culture. Farmar would be a quality pickup but probably is looking for a bigger payday than what the Heat have in mind.

Matt Barnes (29): Barnes is always looking for that next opportunity to ring-chase. From Phoenix to Orlando, now he's got a chance to be a part of this superteam and bring the dirty work off the bench. Barnes' main problem is a lack of self-knowledge, as too often he thinks he's got range where he doesn't and thinks he's hot when he's not. On the Heat he would be asked for specific defensive assignments and to help shore up rebounding. He's used to filling in as a role player, so that shouldn't be a problem. And he would bring the mean streak that some say this team might lack.

Jason Williams: Dwyane Wade's made it clear he wants J-Will back in South Beach. Williams could split time with any of the other low-budget point guard options and might not be as overwhelmed as he was in Orlando trying to keep up with Stan Van Gundy's complex offenses. A backup role would be a great fit for him at his age, and let him manage the game for stretches when the Big 3 are resting.

Roster Filler:

Matt Bonner (43): As I said before, this makes perfect sense. Every team needs a victory cigar. Matt Bonner is that cigar!

Blake Ahearn: A D-League sharpshooting product, Ahearn (right) would be kind of a righteous full circle. The team bottomed out in 2007-2008 and brought Ahearn in to finish the season as they tanked in an attempt to get Derrick Rose. Bringing Ahearn back for the minimum would be a nice reward for a player that worked hard in a tough situation.

Tracy McGrady: Why not? Brings in a nice story, he can go out and produce from time to time in a pinch, and every championship team needs a ringless former superstar on it. In 2006, it was Gary Payton and Antoine Walker; now it can be Tracy McGrady.

Rod Benson: Another D-League product, Benson would bring hilarity, rebounding, and personality to the bench. He would make for a good partying member and would be good for the media.

Kenny Hasbrouck: Already called up last season from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, another D-League option willing to play for the minimum.