The Miami Heat have lost LeBron James in free agency and after signing Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh back the team may go after other targets if it's at the right price, as names like Eric Bledsoe, Carlos Boozer, Greg Monroe, Shawn Marion or Jimmer Fredette could be free agent options for Pat Riley as he tries to build his championship back after LeBron left to Cleveland.
The team just brought back Udonis Haslem and signed James Ennis and now the team could also look at Carlos Boozer, but they likely will be beaten if they bid for him. According to ESPN.com, Carlos Boozer was released through the amnesty clause for the Bulls and now he hits waivers and teams can bid blind on his services if they have the cap space. Yahoo Sports writes that the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats have the inside track on Boozer for now.
The Heat likely can't afford to sign Boozer since other teams will beat their bids and the same could go for Bledsoe and Monroe, as both are restricted free agents. The Suns are looking to sign back Bledsoe and he could be pricey and out of range after the Heat added back Wade and also signed Chris Bosh. Monroe would be a perfect complement to Bosh, but the Pistons have been interested in keep him as well and that means the major moves for Miami are likely done with.
Boozer was released after averaging a solid 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, but he was getting paid over $16 million and that was simply too much. He was a three quarter player for the Bulls by the end and while they liked what he brought to the team, it was time for him to go. The Bulls saved some cap space with the move and that also enabled them to sign Pau Gasol officially.
The Miami Heat brought back Chris Bosh just as he was about to leave for the Houston Rockets and they have now signed Dwyane Wade back on a two year deal, keeping two of the three left in the Big 3 after James left. The team now has a new trio with Luol Deng and those three players should give Miami a strong team and they should still be the favorites in the southwest division along with the Washington Wizards. Wade was limited to 54 games last season and broke down in the finals, but he said that he feels very healthy coming into the summer and that could mean another deep run for Miami.
Wade signed a two year deal with a player option in the second year of the deal and the contract is worth $34 million over two seasons, according to ESPN.com. The east should be stacked this year and teams like the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls should be favored to finish in the top seeds. The Miami Heat have not stayed still with James leaving, as they have signed a number of players past their first deals with Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger, bringing back Chris Andresen, Udonis Haslem along with Mario Chalmers on free agent contracts.