Ranking Best Potential Free-Agent Fits for Miami Heat During 2013 Offseason

As the Miami Heat continue their quest to defend their title, a number of noticeable chinks have appeared in the team's armor. And while they may be talented enough to capture their second straight Larry O'Brien trophy this year, they'll need some help if they have any designs on a three-peat.

In recent weeks, Dwyane Wade has been anything but a superstar, and the Heat bench is wildly inconsistent at best. LeBron James' elite play ensures that Miami will always be a threat, but many of the league's younger teams have proven that they can go toe-to-toe with the Heat in a seven-game series.

Salary cap constraints won't allow Miami to make a big splash this summer, but there will be several low-risk, high-reward options on the market that would nicely complement the Heat's Big Three.

6. Dorell Wright

A return to Miami would be something of a homecoming for swingman Dorell Wright, who spent his first six NBA seasons with the Heat.

Wright is fresh off of a disappointing campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he did manage to shoot better than 37 percent from three-point range, and his Player Efficiency Rating of 16.0 was the highest of his career.

Two seasons ago, Wright led the NBA in three-pointers (194) while with the Golden State Warriors. And though it's highly unlikely he would get enough looks to replicate that with the Heat, there would be plenty of chances for him to make his mark down on South Beach.

Wright may be able to command some team's mid-level exception in the right situation but could be willing to accept the veterans' minimum for Miami.

5. Andray Blatche

In his eighth NBA season, center Andray Blatche finally started to put it all together.

Sure, he had a couple of seasons in which he averaged more than 14 points per game with the Washington Wizards, but as a reserve on the Brooklyn Nets this past season, Blatche's per-36 minute averages were nothing short of stellar (19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds).

It should also be noted that Blatche became a much better defender this year, allowing just 0.85 points per possession, according to Synergy Sports. And while the Heat could benefit from a 6'11" player who isn't afraid to mix it up in the post, Blatche could also benefit by being around Miami's veteran leadership.

Blatche could stand to make close to $5 million on the open market, so Miami's front office would have to do quite a sell job in order to convince the 26-year-old center to make the move down to South Florida.

4. Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison had a decent, if unremarkable, run with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012-13, but he would be a valuable addition to the Miami Heat frontcourt. The 15-year veteran played for the league minimum during his brief stint in L.A., and he may be willing to take a similar deal to link up with the Big Three.

Lost in the drama out in Hollywood last season is the reality that Jamison still has a bit left in the tank. According to Synergy Sports, the 36-year-old power forward scored 1.03 points per possession for the Lakers (34th in the league), and he also excelled in pick-and-roll sets, shooting better than 53 percent from the floor.

With Chris Bosh's ability to knock down the outside jumper, Jamison would give the Heat that consistent low-post presence that they desperately need. Jamison has proven that he no longer needs to be the focal point of a team's offense, but he could be a terror as Miami's No. 4 option.

3. Matt Barnes

After a career-best season (10.3 PPG), Matt Barnes is in line for a decent pay raise once he hits the free-agent market. But after 10 years in the league, the 6'6" small forward may be more interested in chasing a title, making Miami as good of a landing spot as any.

Considering that Barnes made a mere $1.9 million last season, it may not be difficult to sell him on the allure of the Heat. He would be leaving money on the table, however, as Miami would only be able to offer him the team's mini mid-level exception at roughly $3 million per year.

In addition to being a solid offensive threat, Barnes is one of the better wing defenders in the entire NBA. Opposing guards and small forwards could potentially have a rough go of it if Miami were to sign Barnes and use him in a lineup alongside LeBron James and Shane Battier. At the very least, Barnes is the perfect replacement should the Heat decide to use their amnesty provision on Mike Miller this summer.

2. Anthony Morrow

Miami brought in a pair of well-regarded shooters this past summer, but neither Ray Allen nor Rashard Lewis has done much of note in this postseason. As such, the Heat would be wise to take a run at Anthony Morrow: a 6'5" shooting guard who can stretch the floor with his long-range ability.

Morrow is a career 42.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and he would give Miami a solid option at the backup 2-guard spot (possibly replacing James Jones, who may not exercise his $1.5 million player option for 2013-14). The 27-year-old Morrow made just $4 million last season, and he may even be willing to take less than that in order to chase a ring with the Heat next year.

Given the dearth of shooters in the NBA, signing Morrow for the league minimum would be a coup. More realistically, the team would have to offer him something in the $2.5 to $3 million range.

1. DeJuan Blair

Whether DeJuan Blair is fully entrenched in Gregg Popovich's doghouse is a matter of debate. What isn't in question is the fact that Blair's toughness and rebounding ability make him the perfect candidate to join the Miami Heat this offseason.

Blair made less than $1 million this year: a relative bargain when taking his per-36 minute production into account (13.9 points, 9.7 rebounds). Although undersized at just 6'7", Blair finishes well around the basket—he's a career 52.8 percent shooter—and is one of the league's best rebounders.

Given that the Heat don't figure to have too much cap flexibility come July, they'll need to find low-cost, high-value options in free agency, and Blair should definitely meet that criteria. Blair would serve as the perfect contingency plan if Chris Andersen doesn't re-sign with Miami in the offseason.