The Miami Heat are coming into the season with playoffs expectations and players like Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh, Justise Winslow and Luol Deng give the team a strong core. The team shopped Mario Chalmers and Chris Anderson in trades this summer, but it looks like the two will be sticking around for now.
Wade signed a one year deal in the offseason and he has been fully cleared for camp and the preseason after dealing with knee issues last season. Chris Bosh is back and Goran Dragic is ready after a full offseason and is now heading into camp and preseason with the team after being traded last year. The Miami Herald reports that Bosh is healthy after dealing with blood clots last season and Justise Winslow is coming in after being a first round pick.
According to the Miami Herald, Miami was not able to find suitable trades for Chalmers and Andersen this offseason and it's likely those players will remain with the team for now. Miami has been trying to cut down on luxury tax money and moving Andersen and Chalmers would help that. Chalmers is making over $4 million and Andersen is at $5 million and both players are in the final years of their deals.
Anderson said at media day that the trade rumors did not bother him at all and that he knows it's "business". Chalmers said he is working hard and taking things one day at a time and it not letting the rumors get to him. The Herald reported last month that the team pushed a deal for Chalmers "aggressively" but stepped back and opted to wait until training camp to assess things. The Herald reported that the team wanted to get a good look at backup options Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson before making a move.
According to NBA.com, the Heat have had Richardson and Winslow impressing in workouts and both of those players could be key for this season. Winslow is considered a polished player and winner and many felt that he slipped in the draft and a steal at the pick for the Heat. The team has also been impressive with Richardson, who played four years in college and has the chance to get some significant minutes.
Miami has some solid depth after adding Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green and those players can help limit minutes for Bosh and Wade. The main goal is to keep those players fresh and healthy and getting some extra work from the bench could be big. Dragic is looking to have a big year after coming over in the middle of last season, while Wade said he thinks Miami has the chance to make a playoff run.
Prediction: Miami wins their division, makes it to the second round of the playoffs.
Check here for more on the Heat, Chalmers, Wade, the roster and the offseason moves.