Initial 2013 Miami Heat Post-NBA Draft Depth Chart Projections

The Miami Heat are on the verge of creating a true dynasty in the NBA, the likes of which we haven't seen in quite some time.

They can't do that, though, without appropriate depth on their roster and the right rotations from the man at the helm, Erik Spoelstra.

While the Heat haven't made any noise this offseason, mainly because free agency began July 1, there's no doubt that their main focus is merely replicating the depth chart they had this past season.

That means retaining the talents of Chris "Birdman" Andersen, because his energy and production off the bench is pivotal to their third-straight championship.

Ahead is an early projection of the Heat's 2013-14 depth chart.

Unrestricted free agents are not included in this article (i.e. Chris Andersen, Juwan Howard and Jarvis Varnado).

Point Guard

Mario Chalmers, Starting PG

After an impressive final two games of the NBA Finals in which Mario Chalmers averaged 17 points per game, it's hard to make an argument about him not being the starter.

Exercising the team option for Chalmers for the 2013-14 season also points to him being the starter. That's not to say that he will be the starter as the season chugs along.

At this point, the starting point guard role is his to lose, and a lot of that depends on just how well Norris Cole continues to mature and develop in his third season in the league.

Even with his underwhelming 2012-13 averages of 8.6 points and 3.5 assists per game, it's hard to argue with the fact that Chalmers has been the Heat's starting point guard for their past two NBA titles.

The phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here, and it means there's a slim chance the season will begin without Chalmers bringing the ball up the court off the tip.

Norris Cole, Backup PG

Norris Cole had a rather underwhelming season, especially when you consider his impressive showing at the 2012 NBA Summer League that left fans wondering if he'd be their starting point guard by the end of the season.

He did show signs of life during the playoffs, specifically in the Chicago series when he scored 18 points on back-to-back games while shooting above 75 percent from the field.

The bad news for Cole, though, is that he played a whopping seven minutes in the last three games of the NBA Finals.

Cole has a lot to work on this offseason, specifically in his offensive game. His defense is top-notch, and if he can match that with intelligent and efficient offensive production, he's going to be in good shape to solidify his role as the second or third man off the Heat's bench.

Entering the season before a team-option year will be good motivation for Cole this offseason.

Shooting Guard

Dwyane Wade, Starting SG

There's a 0 percent chance that Dwyane Wade will be on the bench when the 2013-14 season begins—if his knee holds up this offseason.

The good news is that Wade now has a few months to rest, rehab and do whatever he needs to do to his knees to get them ready for next season.

After an up-and-down start to the playoffs, Wade absolutely came alive when his legacy was on the line, averaging 23.2 points, five rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in the final four games of the NBA Finals.

The only question heading into the 2013-14 season is whether Wade will be able to keep up that kind of production and dominance. The odds are that he will be able to, because of the time he'll have to rest his knee this offseason.

Maybe a trip to Germany to a knee specialist is in order.

Ray Allen, Backup SG

The Miami Heat are the 2013 NBA champions, and they have Ray Allen to thank for that.

If you don't know why, check out this Sports Science breakdown of his game-tying three that kept the Heat's championship campaign alive.

Even without that career-defining moment, Allen's time with the Heat was successful enough for them to want him back.

Luckily for Miami, he decided to join them in their quest for their third-straight NBA title and the establishment of a true dynasty.

Small Forward

LeBron James, Starting SF

Did you expect to see someone else in the starting small forward position for the Heat? Yeah, I didn't think so.

LeBron James could honestly be the starter at any position for Miami because he's the best point guard, shooting guard, forward and center that they have on their roster.

After back-to-back-to-back NBA MVPs, back-to-back NBA titles and back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards, it's clear that LeBron is the best basketball player on the entire planet.

Not only does he bring freakish athleticism and efficiency on both sides of the ball, he's one of the most intelligent players in the entire league. He also brings solid leadership to a Heat team that needs it at times. 

LeBron's showed that he can beat you on either side of the ball and with any one of his particular skills. While he's the Heat's starting small forward, he's also the best player on their roster, and he'll be filling in position-wise wherever Miami needs him.

Shane Battier, Backup SF

On paper, Shane Battier is the backup small forward, but in reality he's the backup power forward as well.

Battier really can play either position, but since he's a small forward at heart, that's where he'll be on the depth chart.

No one in their right mind would take out LeBron James and sub Battier in for him, and that's why when Battier comes into the game, LeBron is often shifted to the power forward spot to make room for him.

Battier's true value to the Heat was seen in his ability to be benched during the Eastern Conference Finals and be used sparingly at the start of the NBA Finals, then rise to the occasion in Game 7 when the Heat needed him again.

Not only is Battier disciplined and mature, he's also a humble leader who's willing to do whatever he can to help his team win.

Mike Miller, SF Depth

I didn't think I'd say this when the 2012-13 season began, but Mike Miller was integral to the Heat repeating as NBA champions.

While he was scoreless in three of the final five games of the NBA Finals, he hit big shot after big shot for Miami and kept them alive, specifically in Game 6 by shooting 75 percent from beyond the arc.

We've found Miller's specialty, and that is shooting shoeless. I mean, who else are the Heat going to look to if they need a shoeless three-pointer with their season on the line?

Miller will be backing up the backup here, though, as the lingering health issues surrounding his back will limit his time during the regular season.

James Jones, SF Depth

Let's be honest here: James Jones is going to get as much playing time as I am next season with the Heat.

Well, actually, he'll get a bit more, but you get my point.

Jones exercised his option to stay with the Heat next season, and that was certainly a smart move to make, as he'll help them in practice and be able to potentially win a third ring.

Aside from scrub-time minutes, though, he won't be getting much time on the floor thanks to Miami's star-studded roster.

Power Forward

Udonis Haslem, Starting PF

The secret is finally out as to why Udonis Haslem played like he was a fish out of water during the majority of the second half of the season. He was playing with a torn meniscus, according to ESPN.com.

Luckily, Haslem has the entire offseason to heal after he undergoes surgery, and he'll come back stronger for the 2013-14 season.

Haslem averaged 3.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game during the regular season, and while that wasn't very impressive, he saved his best for the Eastern Conference Finals.

Against the Indiana Pacers, Haslem shot 8-of-9 from the field in Games 3 and 6 with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

I expect Haslem to be more like the nine points and eight rebounds per game version of himself that he was a season or two ago. Fixing his torn meniscus should go a long way in doing just that.

Rashard Lewis, Backup PF

Don't worry, Heat fans, Rashard Lewis isn't your true backup at the power forward spot. He's just there because Shane Battier is listed as a small forward.

With that being said, there is untapped potential in Lewis, and the Heat would be wise to figure out a way to get him more minutes next season.

It wasn't a fluke that he was an All-Star as recently as 2009, averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. The Heat need to find a way to maximize Lewis' potential and value to them, because with an aging roster they will need more production from more players next year.

Center

Chris Bosh, Starting C

Whether you like it or not, Chris Bosh will still be the Heat's starting center when the 2013-14 season gets underway.

The main reason for that is because Miami has won two championships with him as their center, and the second reason is because they've won two championships with him as their center.

Yes, I know I repeated myself, and it was for the sake of emphasis. Say what you will about Bosh's style of play and his overall "weak" approach to the game, but he's helped the Heat win back-to-back titles, and that's not an easy task.

Bosh certainly has some things to work on this offseason, like adding strength to his frame and working on his post defense, but if he can do that, he'll once again be at the level of calling himself one of the Big Three.

Right now, it's the Big 2.75, and that's because Bosh dropped an absolute dud in the biggest game of his career, Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

Joel Anthony, Backup C

Joel Anthony is a placeholder at the backup center position mainly because the Heat haven't retained Chris Andersen's talents just yet.

Paying Anthony $3.8 million to back up a backup is pretty insane, but it's what the Heat have to do.

With that being said, Anthony isn't an awful player. He's sound on the defensive side of the ball, and he can rebound like a mad man.

Let's just hope when the season begins he's the Heat's third string center and not their true backup. Re-signing Andersen is a must for the Heat if they want to repeat, and I'm sure even Anthony knows that.