Miami Likely To Pass on Former All-Stars, Unless They Sign for Two Years
Word coming out of Heat camp is that three former NBA All-Stars have all stated that they would be interested in signing with Miami.
Those figures, of course, being Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tracy McGrady.
Now, while definitely past their primes, all three can still start on most teams in the league. They can also command more money than a veteran minimum salary.
So then why haven't the Heat jumped on this and offered a deal to any one of them already?
Many would hint that it's because Pat Riley doesn't want to risk bringing in a potential locker room cancer, but that's not it at all.
From what I heard, the Heat were receptive to the overtures except for one thing: all three offered to join the Heat for one season. They all covet a ring, in Shaq's case one more to tie Kobe Bryant. However, none of them wants to sign a multi-year deal.
All three want the publicity that comes form joining this team during the 2010-2011 season—a season in which the Heat will be the biggest thing in sports. Still, after they'd hopefully get thier ring they all want to be able to then sign a midlevel contract to better secure themselves financially. I'd think they should've done that already, but who knows?
This is where the dilemma lies. Riley would love to stack the team even more than he has. but at what price? He would already be running the risk of them becoming a distraction be it in the locker room or through the press. Thus, for him to do so would require a multiple-year agreement.
Riley is, after all, trying to establish a dynasty and not a flash in the pan, one-year run at glory. There is no guarantee that this team will be a cohesive unit its first season out. That's why he went ahead and sent four first round picks to acquire James and Bosh so he could lock them in for six years instead of just five years, while giving up nothing to get them. Riley knows that this first year will be the most difficult to win.
So we're at an impasse. There is a reason none of the "three old kings" have signed with a team yet. They're all basically sitting across the table from the Heat trying to see who blinks first.
In my mind, Riley should still roll the dice and take at least one of them. If it works out, then other veterans will be lining up to jump on the gravy train come next season.
