NBA Free Agents 2011: 5 Centers and Point Guards Miami Heat Should Consider

It's too bad that these signings won't possibly happen for a few more months because baseball highlights are slowly killing my soul.

While we might have to wait until the Miami Heat begin looking towards picking up a center and/or point guard during the upcoming free agency period, there will be moves made by the team that found themselves lacking greatly when it came to finding a floor general and some size in the middle. The Heat suffered greatly at times without a reliable center or point guard and it cost the team a few games because the big three basically couldn't do everything on the court.

There aren't any superstars among this years free agents, but there are plenty of players to help the Heat continue to build their dynasty. They're are plenty of point guards and centers, among other positions, that could come cheap and it's time for the Heat to take advantage of the situation of most of these players. Unless teams begin to drastically overpay, won't happen with the CBA, then the Heat should be fine when looking for the right player to fill the needs of the team.

We take a look at five point guards and five centers that the Heat could go after. We only put the affordable ones in, so don't expect Nene Hilario or Greg Oden when both players are set to make nearly $10 million per year.

5(C). Joel Przybilla

Strapped for cash and desperate for a center, the Miami Heat are ready to take on all comers when looking for big man.

Even if it means looking for a player that has only played in 67 games over the past two seasons. Charlotte Bobcats center Joel Przybilla has been suffering through injuries for the past two years and has only played in over 70 games four times over his 11 year career. He did play a full 82 games for the 2008-'09 campaign as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, but hasn't played in more than 31 games for a season since.

Despite the injuries, Przybilla provides size and quality defense in the middle, both are attributes that the Heat could surely use. His offensive game is severely limited to close range tip-ins and dunks as he has never averaged more than six points per game for a season. He makes up for it with better rebounding numbers that have been as high as nine per.

With the injury concerns at the age of 32 and lack of an offensive game, Przybilla could be one of the most cost effective centers that this years free agency class has to offer.

5(PG). Acie Law

Acie Law joined the league in 2007 as a first round pick for the Atlanta Hawks. He played two seasons with them before being traded. He would play five games for Golden State, nine games with Charlotte, 12 games with Chicago, 11 with Memphis, and another 40 with the Warriors in already his second stint with the team.

Three years of experience and Law has already been on five teams, including being on the same team twice.

Law was taken with the 11th pick in the 2007 draft and has yet to be given any sort of significant playing time since joining the league. He played 15 minutes per in his rookie season and and wouldn't play more than 15 minutes per game until his most recent stint with the Warriors where he averaged 16 per. Law has been given chances to come off the bench as a reliable point guard, but has yet to prove himself.

His best season came last year when he averaged five points per game on 47% from the field to go along with two assists per. Law isn't much of an option, but he's one of the few point guards that's affordable as well as available. He could be used as a back-up to Mario Chalmers and could even learn to run the point under the tutelage of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

4(C). Aaron Gray

As I stated before, the Heat are desperate for a cost effective center.

Current New Orleans Hornet center Aaron Gray could possibly be the next starting center for Miami after opting for free agency. At 7' and 270 pounds, Gray would be a perfect fit for a team that could use some toughness and size in the middle. With the current bruisers being soon to be retirees in Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire, the Heat could use the size of the youthful 26 year old center.

Gray has spent five seasons in the NBA after being a second round selection by the Chicago Bulls in 2007. He spent three seasons as a member of the Bulls and was used solely as a seldom-used back-up to Joakim Noah. Gray averaged his career highs with Chicago, including four points per in his rookie season and four rebounds per in his sophomore year.

Aaron hasn't averaged more than 13 minutes per game and would be an immediate starter on a team like the Heat.

4(PG). Patrick Mills

With only two years of experience under his belt, Australian Patrick Mills could possibly have the most upside of any point guard available in this years free agency class.

He will only be 23 years old at the start of the 2010-'11 campaign and has far more basketball experience than just the NBA. He played professionally in his native Australia and was even the youngest player in the history of the country to be on the roster of the Olympic team when he joined in 2007 as an 18 year old. He scored 20 points to go along with three assists, two steals and no turnovers in the teams quarterfinal loss to the United States.

Mills has been a member of the Portland Trail Blazers for the past two years, but has yet to receive any significant playing time. He averaged 12 minutes per contest and was featured in 64 games last year as he went on to average six points and two assists per. He also attempted two three-pointers per game and converted on 35% of them.

At only 23 and with little hype surrounding him, Mills could be a steal for the Heat if they give him a chance. He's proved himself before and he can in the NBA if Miami can give him a contract and some playing time.

3(C). Kwame Brown

Not since he was starting with the Los Angeles Lakers has Kwame Brown actually received significant free agency consideration.

After averaging eight points and seven rebounds per game as a starter for the Charlotte Bobcats, Brown could actually be considered as a starting center for teams that are desperate for a center. The Heat happen to be one of those teams and could use that size and rebounding in the middle. Not only that, but his offensive game took a turn for the better last year after averaging eight points per game for only the third time in his career.

Brown has averaged as much as 11 points and seven rebounds per game and that came when he was a starter receiving significant minutes with the Washington Wizards. He would be an immediate starter for the Heat and could actually improve with the likes of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh surrounding him. It didn't work with Kobe Bryant, it was just the opposite actually, but maybe the big three of Miami could help the 29 year old Brown improve.

Or not. Probably not. He's a center that's coming off of a career year though and that's all the Heat could sue at this point.

3(PG). Earl Boykins

Nine teams later, Earl Boykins could very easily find himself on the tenth team of his NBA career by the end of this free agency period.

And that doesn't even include his short stint overseas.

After a second stint with the Milwaukee Bucks where he averaged seven points and three assists per game off the bench, the 5'5" Boykins has become available and could join the Miami Heat for the right price. Despite being the shortest player in the NBA, Boykins has been a considerable offensive threat and has averaged as much as 15 points per game as a member of the Denver Nuggets in the 2006-'07 season.

As a starter, Boykins went through a stretch where he averaged double-digits in points per game for five consecutive seasons. He has range across the floor and is a career 35% shooter from beyond the arc that has shot as well as 42% from deep. He's a good fit for a team like the Heat who could use a consistent and reliable threat from the one spot.

2(C). DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game and the Los Angeles Clippers might now think they have their center for the future.

Unless the Clippers decide to drastically overspend for a player that's only played three years and just recently started playing quality ball, they just might it's the Clippers after all, then Jordan should be affordable and ready for the taking. He truly came into his own last season after averaging only four and five points per game to go along with five rebounds per for his first two years in the league.

Jordan averaged seven points per game and did it on an absurd 69% from the field. However, it's his offensive game that could use work. He was only taking four shots per contest and was limited to nothing more than alley-oops and other close range shots near the basket. Jordan has his athleticism as his greatest attribute, but he will need to develop some sort of post game if he wants to be considered a true offensive threat.

DeAndre also averaged two blocks per game, a career high. With a player of Jordan's caliber and capabilities on a team like the Heat, they would not only become a more complete team, but they would also be the most athletic and it wouldn't even be close.

2(PG). J.J. Barea

Prior to the 2011 post season, there weren't many people who knew J.J. Barea.

After a prolific playoffs where he became a household name, Barea might have just earned himself one of the most lucrative deals for a bench player in this upcoming free agency period. With a number of teams set to make a run, including teams that he has showed interest in, Barea is set to make a big pay day thanks to his hard work and determination in the Dallas Mavericks championship run where he provided the spark that injured players like Caron Butler or Rodrigue Beaubouis couldn't make.

The 6' Barea had the best season of his career by far after averaging nearly ten points and four assists as Jason Kidd's back-up. He'll be most remembered for his latest playoff appearance where he single-handedly torched the Los Angeles Lakers and then helped the team oust the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat. He was able to use his quickness and small stature to weave in and out of taller players in the paint, where he spent most of his time.

Barea is a quality point guard, but teams shouldn't be deceived by one post season performance. Giving contracts to players like that was the reason why Jerome James was making $30 million at a time. Barea won't be a one hit wonder, but he'll be able to consistently help a team out off the bench.

1(C). Samuel Dalembert

The best, and most affordable, option for the Miami Heat when it comes to finding a center in this years free agency class, Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert could be the big man of the future for a Heat team that could use the talents of the 6'11" Haitian.

Dalembert is a terrific defender and has been recognized as such since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. He has averaged two blocks per game for his career and is coming off of one season with the Kings where he averaged a little less than the standard two. His defense is exactly what the Heat need as they find themselves lacking a true defensive threat that could deter slashers or opposing centers.

As for his offense, it's limited but it's not as questionable as most of the centers up for free agency. He has a decent mid-range game and is known for his ability to finish off alley-oops. A center that can catch and finish is a commodity that the Heat could use as well. With the likes of Joel Anthony and a number of centers that were much too slow to finish off a basket quick enough before the defense reacted, Dalembert would be the perfect offensive option at center for the Heat next year.

He has also rebounded considerably well and has averaged eight for his career. His career high is 10, which came during the 2007-'08 season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

1(PG). T.J. Ford

He's been coveted by the Heat for years now and it might just be time for TJ Ford to officially take his talents to South Beach.

Ford has been on three different teams since being drafted with the number eight pick in 2003—the same draft class as Wade, James, and Bosh.

He hasn't exactly performed up to expectations considering he was taken eighth, but he has still provided teams with a reliable offensive threat from the point. He has averaged as many as 15 points per game and has dished out as many as eight assists.

However, he is limited by his range and his turnovers.

He has cut down his turnovers, but it has only come as a result of him finding less playing time because of all the miscues. He averaged over two turnovers per game for his first five years in the league and has even averaged over three turnovers per game for two years.

Since joining the Indiana Pacers, Ford has seen his time decrease and could be looking for a new team to join that will actually give him playing time.

With Mario Chalmers as the possible starter, the Heat should sign him as a reliable backup and some healthy competition for Chalmers, who seems to perform better when under pressure.