Miami Heat: 5 Players Who Could Help Them Next Season

LeBron James:  40 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists.

Dwyane Wade:  30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

On many teams these numbers would make an impressive contribution for the entire starting 5.  But this, as we've all learned, is far from being most teams.

This is the Miami Heat and the Miami Heat is not a great team.

It's a team with three (now two) great guys...and not much (consistently) beyond.

Last night's performances by Wade and James were admirable.  It was the stuff of legends and perhaps one of the all-time great performances by a duo in playoff history.  But it would be reckless and wishful thinking for anyone, including the stars themselves, to believe that these kinds of outings are sustainable.  The Heat need help and they know it.

Despite the financial sacrifices that each of the Big Three made to allow the team some flexibility in signing other free agents, their generosity has gone largely unrewarded.  Mike Miller seemed to transform into an Autobust the moment he signed his 5-year contract with the club, Udonis Haslem has taken a step backward and Shane Battier's 3 point GPS has spent much of the season recalculating.

With limited cash, the Heat's only hope for help will come by hocking one of it's high priced trio (hmmmm) or by getting some low priced help this offseason.  Assuming that the Big Three remains in tact as of next October (and that's a BIG assumption), here's the starting 5 of "The All Heat Helpers" Team.

Roll 'em.

1. Point Guard, Andre Miller

Andre' Miller has been through the regular and post-season battles that would make him an ideal floor general for the Heat.  Last season Miller averaged about 10 points and 7 assists in about 27 minutes a game.  The Heat desperately need someone besides LeBron or Wade who can create shots for other guys on the floor.  Miller can provide this.

Besides the stats, Miller is a decent defender and has aged well.  He would be able to plug into the Heat's fleet footed defense and bring more continuity to the offense as well (especially in the half court, which is where the Heat mostly needs help).  He would also bring a calm to pressure situations, allowing LeBron and D Wade to do what they do best in the crunch--and that's score.

Mr. is coming off of a season in which he made $7.8 million a season, but knows that he won't find that kind of money on the market this offseason.  As a decent player who has never really gone far in the postseason, Miller and the Heat could probably get something done for the veteran's minimum of $1 million if Miller is serious about winning.

 "Mr. Miller?"

"Pat Riley on line one."

2. Shooting Guard, Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford can score.  

In heaps, bunches and bundles

Scoring isn't a problem for Heaters James, Wade and Bosh.  The rest of the team, however, has become allergic to making baskets.

Enter Crawford.  The well-traveled two guard would be just the guy to insert some fire into the Heat's anemic bench. Crawford scored 14 points per game in just 27 minutes for the Blazers this season and could do the same or more for the Heat, while adding something they desperately need--another player who can create his own shot.  

Crawford is also a former point guard and could add a lot of versatility to the Heat's roster as a guy who is somewhat familiar with running an offense.  Imagine the pressure opposing teams would face with the Big 3 and Crawford on the floor together.  Scary.

Despite his 20 something looks, Crawford has 11 years experience in the league and is looking to swap jerseys this offseason. He will actually be leaving $5.2 million dollars on the table to move on, so perhaps a portion (maybe $2 million?) of Miami's mid-level exception could get his shooting touch down in South Beach.  If so, expect opponents to do even more sweating before visiting American Airlines Arena.

3. Small Forward, Gerald Wallace

Wallace is known as Crash for a reason.  He's a wrecking ball on the court, defending tenaciously, blocking shots, rebounding and adding a bit of scoring as well.  His well-rounded game would be perfect for the second unit and for defensive flexibility, as well.

Last season as a member of both the Blazers and the Nets, Wallace basically maintained his solid career averages of 14 points and 7 rebounds in about 35 minutes a game.  Wallace's defense, scoring and rebounding would make him a valuable asset to the Heat and would probably allow them to explore using the amnesty option on a player (Mike Miller) and perhaps even trading another who still has some value (Udonis Haslem) for a younger piece.

Wallace, like Crawford, has made decent money during his career and is probably ready to be a part of a winning situation.  Crash has only been to the playoffs twice during his 10 year career.  Wallace would be leaving $9.5 million on the table to leave the lowly Nets, but it's a loss he's probably willing to take to spend his last years with a winner.  If they can make a deal work for a portion of the midl-level, then Wallace would not only be back in postseason play, but a key piece in helping the Heat capture the O'Brien trophy.

4. Power Forward, Reggie Evans

2 points.

5 rebounds.

Hardly earth shattering stats, but the effect that Reggie Evans has on a game goes far beyond twhat the box can indicate.  Evans is a tough, high energy guy who plays his heart out whenever he's on the floor.  Aside from that, he's extraordinarily agitating.  Some may say, "Don't the Heat already have an all defense, no offense, high energy guy in Joel Anthony?"  Yes, but the difference is that Anthony is a nice guy. Reggie Evans is beyond dirty.

He's absolutely filthy.

And that's the kind of guy that this Heat team needs.  Beyond Wade and Haslem, the Heat don't have nasty guys on the roster.  Not only could Evans be an enforcer, but could be had on the cheap, as he only made $1.2 million with the Clippers this year.  Evans is a Florida native (Pensacola) and as a 9 year vet, could relish the opportunity to play for a winner in his home state. 

Danny Granger and the other Pacers have really made a point of being physical and doing their best "Knicks circa '93" imitation.  A guy like Reggie Evans would make them think twice before rubbing noses with Wade and James.

5. Center, Greg Oden

Unfortunately, Oden has spent most of his young NBA career wearing get-ups like the one in the picture.  But in the time that he spent in a jersey, he pretty much provided what was expected.  In his last, short season with the Blazers, Oden averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 24 minutes a game. 

That's more points (7.7), twice as many blocks (1) almost as many rebounds (9.2) as the Heat get from Haslem and Anthony together in a combined 40 minutes a game. 

Certainly Oden's addition would bring needed size, youth, athleticism, shot blocking--basically it would be a major upgrade...IF Oden can stay healthy which has been the major question looming over his very short on-court career.  Oden recently had the "Kobe" surgery on his troubled left knee.   It's worked out well for Bryant, which can only leave high hopes for the embattled big man.

All the burden of proof is on Oden and the Heat could sign him to a deal for the veteran's minimum with little risk.  He has already expressed an interest in playing for the Heat, as well.  Though far from Shaquille O'Neal, if Oden bounces back in a Heat jersey, he could, like the Big Doctoral, be the center partically responsible for a championship parade in downtown Miami.