5 Free-Agent Fliers for Miami Heat to Gamble on Entering Next Season

The Miami Heat spent more money than any other team did this offseason, but there are still some holes to fill throughout the roster.

Given the potential injury issues for guys like Dwyane Wade, Josh McRoberts and others, Miami would be well served to add some better depth or take a few fliers on a few guys who are largely unproven.

As it stands right now, Miami has 11 guaranteed salaries on the roster and four non-guaranteed players. The Heat can at least invite a few more players to training camp to battle for that last active spot of the 12-man roster.

Here's Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel with more:

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This is the time of the offseason when teams run free-agency leftovers through workouts just to see if there is anything left, from both the player and the market. At this stage, we're talking possible 15th men, players who could provide a veteran option if other offseason moves don't work out. We're essentially talking practice players, mentors.

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Let's take a look at five potential free-agent fliers still out there that could shore up the depth for the Miami Heat. 

Ryan Hollins

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While Ryan Hollins doesn't inspire much confidence in a larger role, he can come in for a few minutes at a time and add energy off the bench.

That may be all Miami is looking for from its third center, and so it makes sense that Miami would show interest in an NBA veteran who is used to filling a similar role elsewhere.

Here's more from the Twitter account of Yahoo Sports writer Marc J. Spears:

"Free agent center Ryan Hollins met with the Heat on Friday (September 5th), sources tell Yahoo Sports. Kings, Bulls & Spurs also have interest in Hollins."

Hollins isn't a good rebounder, so he's a questionable fit next to Josh McRoberts or a small 4, but he can alter shots and throw down alley-oops thanks to his athleticism. He's a foul magnet, but again, he'll play hard and run the floor. 

The Heat can do better, but Hollins seems to find his way onto a roster every year. He might be a fit.

Jordan Crawford

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Jordan Crawford is another free agent the Miami Heat may be showing interest in, as reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:

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The Heat is serious about adding another shooting guard and a big man if it can find two good ones willing to take the veteran’s minimum. After recently working out Jordan Hamilton (who signed with Toronto) and Chris Douglas-Roberts, the Heat also has inquired about Leandro Barbosa and Jordan Crawford, who both hold appeal to Miami.

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Crawford would be an interesting fit, as he could provide instant scoring off the bench for the Heat and carry a unit that appears to lack playmakers. 

Although he came back down to earth late last year with the Golden State Warriors, Crawford looked like a legitimate sixth man with the Boston Celtics. He can get in the paint and score and is a decent distributor as well.

The Heat have a busy backcourt already, but Crawford could make some sense for a team that might have a hard time scoring at the rate they previously have in the past.

Emeka Okafor

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Emeka Okafor should be generating a lot of interest, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports here:

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Even after losing an entire season to injury, Emeka Okafor is a man in demand. 

Roughly half of the league, I'm told, has registered interest this summer in Okafor, despite the fact that the 31-year-old free agent missed all of the 2013-14 season while recovering from a serious neck ailment. 

The list of pursuers for the defensive-minded center, according to NBA front office sources, includes LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers as well as LeBron's old friends in Miami. 

But I'm likewise told that Okafor is unlikely to sign anywhere until midseason as he continues to recover from his herniated disk. 

Said one source: 'He'll be in high demand when he's back.' 

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Okafor's health is the only reason he's not signed yet, but he'd certainly be a worthy investment for a team willing to be patient and wait for him to get healthy.

The Heat did that last year with Greg Oden with mixed results, but Okafor's injury might be easier to recover from. When he's healthy, Okafor is one of the more reliable and consistent big men in the league, particularly defensively.

There's risk involved, but the Heat won't find a player with more upside than Okafor at this stage in the game.

Dante Cunningham

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Dante Cunningham is a reliable rotation big man in the NBA with a solid mid-range game and great athleticism, so it's a little surprising he hasn't been snatched up yet. 

Here's Charlie Adams of HoopsRumors.com with more:

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Now that Cunningham’s legal issues seem to be resolved, it would be especially surprising to see him without a deal when training camps open up in late September. While Cunningham might be hard-pressed to land anything but a deal worth the minimum, his modest production on the hardwood over the past two seasons should at least help him find a home with an NBA club next season, even if it isn’t with the Wolves.

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At this point, it's hard to imagine that Cunningham will return to Minnesota.

Although Udonis Haslem is a Miami institution at this point, Cunningham is the superior player and could easily beat him out for playing time were he signed.

Cunningham is a different player than Chris Bosh, but his ability to stretch the floor a bit and rebound in traffic could make him a nice backup and fit in Miami's system. 

Miroslav Raduljica

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Miroslav Raduljica was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Los Angeles Clippers and subsequently waived, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't fall out of the league.

Raduljica should be more than willing to accept the minimum, seeing as the Clippers will have to pay his full salary after waiving him. Since Miami can only offer the minimum at this point, and given the lack of size and rebounding ability on the roster, Raduljica could be a target.

The Serbian big man has had some solid moments in the FIBA World Cup. That should warrant a few looks, especially since teams always like to mold guys with tremendous size. Raduljica has that.

It can be hard to find players with upside and growth potential in free agency, and Raduljica could add depth to the frontcourt and perhaps be a piece for the future as well.