Struggling Young Players Miami Heat Can Sign on the Cheap

The Miami Heat are going to have little financial flexibility this summer. This means that there are about two groups of players they can sign: young players who haven't had much success or veterans willing to take a discount for a run at a title.

Today, we're going to focus on the young players. These are players that have at one time shown promise and have at least a skill or two that holds particular value on the Heat. 

In 2013-14, these players would likely be used just for depth. But given their age, they could develop into contributors at a point down the line.

Luke Babbitt

Luke Babbitt was lethal from three-point range in the 2011-12 season, knocking down 43.0 percent of his outside shots.

However, things took a turn for the worse last season and he shot just 34.8 percent on three-pointers. 

That drop-off in production means the Portland Trail Blazers aren't bringing him back, but given Miami's limited financial flexibility, that shouldn't deter them from looking at Babbitt.

Babbitt has demonstrated an ability to be effective from downtown before, which means he can again. Plus, with the open shots he'd get in Miami, there's a much better chance he reclaims his shooting stroke with the Heat than any other team.

Eric Maynor

The Heat will in all likelihood stick with their two current of point guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole in 2013-14.

But if they decide to switch things up, Eric Maynor, most recently of the Portland Trail Blazers, isn't a bad option, even though he averaged just 4.5 and 2.8 assists in 2012-13.

He's shown an ability to knock down shots from outside, and would have even more success in that department on the Heat due to the open looks created by Miami's spacing. 

Throughout his four-year career, Maynor has always flashed potential, but has never reached it. Perhaps a situation like Miami, where there are plenty of ball-handlers and he won't be asked to do too much, would be a huge help to him.

Marreese Speights

It doesn't say a whole lot of good about Marreese Speights' ability that he played just 18.5 minutes per game this season for a Cleveland Cavaliers team that won just 22 games. 

However, Speights has flashed enough ability in his first five years in the NBA for Miami to consider signing him for big-man-depth.

He has rebounded the ball well (averaged 6.2 boards in 22.4 minutes for Memphis Grizzlies in 2010-11) and has a solid mid-range game.

Both of those skills would have plenty of value on Miami.  If he could return to his peak rebounding form, while the Heat help developed the rest of his game, then this could be a great signing if it happens.

Johan Petro

Johan Petro could be another backup-big-man option.

He's a 7-footer, which is always nice, and at 27 years old, he has still has room to develop.

Petro is a decent enough rebounder (3.6 in 11.4 minutes per game this season). His offensive efficiency his dipped dramatically over the years; however, he wouldn't be asked to do much of anything on that side of the ball with the Heat.

He would just have to focus on grabbing rebounds and playing defense, which might help him turn his career around. 

Timofey Mozgov

Timofey Mosgov has been connected to the Heat plenty throughout the Big Three era, as many Miami fans have felt at some point the team should have traded for him.

Well, now the Heat wouldn't have to give up any assets to get Mosgov with how far he's fallen. Mosgov averaged just 8.9 minutes per game as a Denver Nugget this year.

But at 7'1", he would provide Miami size inside that it could use, and he has been a decent rebounder and pretty good shot-blocker over his three-year career.

For a cheap contract, there's a lot worse the Heat could do than Mosgov.