Mike Miller: Is the Miami Heat's Swingman a Quality Asset or Just Trade Bait?

Five Years, $25 million. That's the contract sharp-shooting, very talented swing man extraordinaire Mike Miller signed in the Miami Heat's Mega offseason. He was looked at as the perfect sixth man or starting small forward if LeBron James moved to a "point forward" position.

Mike Miller's real career began at the University of Florida, playing for the Gators from 1998-2000, including a 2000 Title Game run that featured an amazing buzzer beater by Miller against Butler in the opening round. Miller was drafted by the Magic and won Rookie of the Year in 2001. He was traded to Memphis and won six Man of the Year awards over the course of five years. Then on to Minnesota where he was dealt in the OJ Mayo-Kevin Love Deal and most recently to Washington where he served one season.

The Heat picked up Miller in the 2010 offseason, and the deal completed a roster formerly shallow beyond the Three Kings of Miami: Wade, James, and Bosh. Unfortunately, Miller was hurt in preseason practice and missed until December 20. He received his first start on January 22 to relieve an ailing Dwyane Wade. Miller scored 32 points and co-led, with LeBron James, a Heat victory.

So the question that arises, as the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaches, is this: Is Mike Miller the perfect sixth man, or should he be dealt for a more needed position, like center or a franchise point guard. You would think that he fits perfectly into the sixth man role, that the Heat need him and that it would be stupid to spend that kind of money on a guy, only to deal him in the middle of his first year. But following his return from injury, he just hasn't quite meshed with the team yet. He averages a mere six points a game and missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in Boston.

Miami could certainly find use for Miller over the course of the next few years, but wouldn't it be smarter to trade for an established big man or potential franchise point guard, the positions the Heat clearly need? The Heat already have sharpshooters (and solely sharpshooters, they have virtually no other abilities) in three-point Champion James Jones and Eddie House. A potential trade that would work would be for Memphis' Marc Gasol and Sam Young. Another thought would be for Philadelphia's Louis Williams, or maybe Minnesota's Luke Ridnour. Those three all check out for salary cap, and would give the Heat either the post presence or serviceable point guard they need.

So what's the verdict? Well in my honest opinion, if a trade for Marc Gasol could be done, I would jump on it. But other than that, I think the mixture of shooting, driving and solid defense Miller provides fits well into the Heat's lineup and that, along with James Jones and Eddie House, this team will be able to put in the 3 pointer right alongside some of the best in the NBA.

Right now the Heat are winning, and unless the trade would help them secure a championship run, If it ain't broke, don't fix it.