NBA Draft 2012: Would Any Prospect Crack Heat's Starting Lineup?

As the Heat continue on the path to an NBA championship, I assure you there are those who are a part of the organization already looking ahead to next season and trying to figure out what moves they can make in order to ensure the improvement of the franchise.

No matter the number of the pick, every NBA team wants to draft the best talent available when they hear their name called.

Each organization goes into the draft with different goals and holes they want to fill, but with a team as good as Miami, is it possible that anyone they draft has a chance of cracking the starting lineup?

The fact that the Heat have a "Big 3" makes it pretty clear that at least three out of the five starting positions are pretty solidified; despite the fact that it took Spoelstra a little longer than expected to insert Bosh into the starting lineup after his injury.

However, it's no secret that where the Heat do lack talent, and more in particular, size, is at the center position.

As a result, this season Chris Bosh was asked to play a lot more at the five, but you'd have to think that the Heat would love to draft a young buck willing and ready to come do the dirty work on the boards and in the paint that superstars tend to avoid, right?

Well, let's walk through this together. The Heat have been quite successful this year, making it to the finals once again. With the acquisition of Shane Battier, Miami gained many things, including a seasoned veteran who can guard multiple positions and knock down open jump shots. A perfect type of player to surround the big 3 with. 

Clearly the Miami Heat organization has become a fan of players just like Battier. Players who stand about 6'9", give or take, and possess the ability to bring multiple things to the table, i.e., Mike Miller and James Jones.

The thing is, the Heat have the most versatile small forward in the game in LeBron James. Despite the impressive talent available in the upcoming draft, I'm going to go out on a limb and say nobody will be taking his starting spot anytime soon. 

Which brings me back to the Heat's lack of a true big man. As I took a look at the big men likely to still be available by the time Miami's pick rolls around a few names popped out at me: Fab Melo, Arnett Moultrie and Henry Sims.

Each one of these big men have more size than any of the Heat players on the roster right now. Well, besides Eddy Curry, but it's got to be a special occasion for him to see the floor. 

However, the one player that stands out to me the most is Melo, and here's why: He fits the mold of a young Alonzo Mourning. 

When I first saw Melo, he instantly drew comparisons to Mourning because of his fearlessness when protecting the rim. Granted, his offense is nowhere near a polished one. He would be in talks with Anthony Davis, a sure fire No. 1 pick, if that were true.

But he does have the potential to be a defensive anchor and with a little work, especially with the help of Mourning himself, Melo could be looking like the steal of the draft before you know it.

It looks as though Miami has deemed Mario Chalmers as their point guard of the future. It's a decision I agree with very much, and the guard talent is not deep enough as to where he should be worried about his starting position. 

This season, Miami's favorite starting lineup featured Chalmers, Wade, James, Battier, and Bosh, and like I stated before, it's clear that they've had some success with it. But they are often abused on the boards and outmatched in the paint due to their lack of size. 

What Battier brings to the table can't always be seen on paper. He always keeps his poise and he does the best he can playing inside with the big boys. But if the Heat do indeed take a chance on a player like Melo in the draft, I would not be surprised one bit to see him inserted into the starting lineup, sooner rather than later. 

I'm sure Spoelstra would love to move Bosh back to the position he's more comfortable with where he can stretch the floor and will find himself with more mismatches. All the while, James will not be asked to go inside and grab 10-plus rebounds and play a majority of the game if the Heat do draft a true center able to handle his own inside.

I'm not saying it is likely. The Heat seemingly have a good thing going, but I can assure you of this. If the Heat do fall short again this year in the NBA Finals, some changes may be made and instead of trading away one of the big 3 or bringing in another superstar past his prime like Steve Nash or Ray Allen, it may be as subtle as inserting a young guy into the starting lineup and seeing what he can do.