The Miami Heat are making the Big Three a priority this offseason which means several other players might be sent packing whether they like it or not. LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are all expected to re-sign with the Heat this offseason, but what about role players like Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen? With free agency around the corner, the Heat have some tough choices to make.
According to Marc J Spears of Yahoo Sports, Andersen plans on opting out of his contract and testing free agency. The forward has been a key role player off the bench for Miami, but is only set to make just over $1 million in his player option. At 35, Andersen would rather take his chances on the open market than take the guaranteed money. There is certainly a chance that Miami could re-sign him, but that likely would not happen until other moves are made.
Chalmers might not be so lucky. The point guard is coming off the worst stretch of his career after a disappearing act in the postseason. After six years he is actually is becoming an unrestricted agent for the first time. Spears reports that Chalmers is hopeful that Heat will retain him, but that is highly unlikely. With Norris Cole waiting in the wings, Chalmers recent stretch of awful has the Heat ready to move on. Chalmers averaged 9.8 points in the regular season, but dropped to just 6.4 points in the postseason.
No matter what happens with Bosh, Wade and James, the supporting cast for Miami will look drastically different. Ray Allen is considering retirement while Shane Battier is confirmed finished. Rashard Lewis is a free agent. Udonis Haslam has a player option. Miami has to make several moves in free agency outside of their three stars, so who do they target?
According to NBA.com write Chuck Myron, the Heat are looking at both Eric Bledsoe and Kyle Lowry. Both point guards would be solid additions for the Heat, capable of taking scoring pressure off James. However, the issue is that both of their respective teams intend on doing whatever it takes to retain them. Both the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors have stated they intend on offering their stars plenty of money. The Heat could be entering a bidding war.
One star that is a long shot to sign with Miami is Carmelo Anthony. The Heat simply cannot offer him the money that others can, so unless Anthony is actually more concerned with winning than a max contract, he will not be headed to South Beach in free agency. The Heat will at least give their sales pitch.