Miami Heat's Next Move: Signing Shaq, Iverson, Fisher, and Others

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat front office must be feeling an awful lot of pressure right now.

He might have been able to sign Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh, but now they've got their work cut out for them filling the other nine (eight if you count Mario Chalmers) spots on the roster.

A team of three isn't going to be winning any championships. Ever.

With an additional five million in salary cap space cleared with Michael Beasley being shipped off to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Riley has basically got a clean slate to work with.

Here’s a list—with a few surpises—that might help make his job easier.

The Rooks: Dexter Pittman, Da’Sean Butler, and Jarvis Varnado

I could easily see two, or even all three, of these players signing with Miami once the Heat get to see how they play.

Dexter Pittman could possibly be the next Kendrick Perkins, and Da’Sean Butler only fell so low in the draft because of injury concerns.

They could potentially bring a lot to Miami, especially under the guidance of the new Big Three.

Mike Miller

As far as we know this deal is as good as done. Miller’s father has already said that Mike and the Heat have reached an agreement.

Miller’s a great fit for this team. He can do a little bit of everything and won the Sixth Man of the Year award back in ’05 with the Grizzlies.

He’s exactly the sort of guy that Mr. Riley needs to be looking for.

Udonis Haslem

He’s been on the Heat for a while and he’s already helped them win a championship once. Who says he can’t do it again?

Although he made $7.1 million with them last year, I’m sure Haslem will be willing to take a pay-cut if it means playing a role in this dynasty.

Having LBJ and Chris Bosh just makes his life easier.

Brad Miller

Despite signing Chris Bosh, the Heat are still going to need a big man to fend off the likes of Dwight Howard in the back-court.

Now, I know that Brad Miller isn’t the fastest in the crowd, but he’s a versatile center that can make quite a few jumpers when it counts. His eleven years of experience won’t hurt either.

Allen Iverson

Hear me out: Allen Iverson is actually a really great fit for the Heat.

He’d be a perfect scorer off the bench and Miami could really use a veteran guard.

Besides, I really think that he’s ready to play a contributing role on a championship-contending team, no matter how many minutes he’s put in.

Allen Iverson will probably go down as the best sub-six foot scorers in history, and adding a title, or titles, would be a huge plus for his resume.

Shaquille O’Neal

Some will probably think that I’m crazy, but I personally think that this is the most important signing of all.

Shaquille O’Neal could really become the anchor of this team if they manage to sign him. Chris Bosh doesn’t want to be the center on the team, and he really wasn’t lauded for his defensive skills anyway.

They’re going to need a guy like the Diesel to take on the likes of Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum if they intend to win several championships.

I know it’s a steep pay-cut for a guy that made over $20 million last year, but I really don’t think he’s in any serious need of money at this point in his career.

Shaq can become the luckiest big man in history and stamp his name on yet another dynasty if he manages to swallow his pride and sign with the Heat. What a great way to end an already great career.

Derek Fisher

This one didn't even come to me until ESPN reported that he's out visiting Riley in Miami right now, simply because I didn't think that he would be willing to betray the Lakers.

Derek Fisher is the quintessential role player. He's the one that makes the big shots when it counts, and his experience and maturity would be a great-and I mean great-add to this team.

This is exactly what the Heat need.