The Miami Heat have made a number of free agent moves this offseason and now names like Greg Monroe, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Chris Singleton, Greg Oden, Shawn Marion, Ray Allen, Andrew Bynum and Ramon Sessions could be potential targets and those players could be big for support for Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in their new big 3 in South Beach.
Miami's main issue last year during the finals was the over reliance on LeBron James and that was because of the weak bench for the team and now it looks like that will be a strength for the Heat this season. According to ESPN.com, the Heat thought about an offer sheet for Monroe earlier in the offseason, but they felt that the Pistons would match so they never gave it and now they also are considering bringing back Oden or Michael Beasley this season.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team is looking at adding rookie Tyler Johnson and this comes after they also brought back James Ennis and signed Shawne Williams. The team is putting together a strong bench and Beasley also could be an option, but right now it's not looking like it's happening. Beasley has had a workout for the Los Angeles Lakers and Oden has had interest from the Clippers, but there is a chance they both end up back in Miami. Oden just got into some legal trouble, so we'll see how that all turns out.
The team also brought over Shabazz Napier in a draft trade for PJ Hairston and that has looked like a great move so far and that could be big for Miami this season. Napier is going to be a solid option off the bench and with LeBron James not on the team anymore, someone will have to step up, as he led Miami in scoring, assists and rebounds per game last season and Luol Deng likely will make up for some of that production.
Miami brought back a number of their own free agents, including Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen and the team also has Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole back in the fold. The team has as much playoffs and championship experience as anyone and that could be big coming into the season without James. Adding Deng was a massive move, as it keeps Miami with a Big 3 and it could open things up for Wade after playing with LeBron for four years.
Miami has stocked up their bench after what happened in the finals last season and while Monroe would be a dream option, it's likely too much for the team to add onto the cap and he may return to the Pistons. James leaving hurts Miami obviously, but there is no reason why the team can't make the playoffs again as division winners, even with the upstart Washington Wizards there.
The Cavaliers have reportedly agreed to the Kevin Love trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and that means Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett are being traded to the Wolves and James now has a new running mate. The trio of James, Kyrie Irving and Love now are easily the favorites in the east and that also could be what makes the team into champions. James wants to bring a title to Cleveland and getting Love means he has a realistic shot and reports say he is signing a five year deal when he is traded.
