Chris Bosh out of Miami?: 5 Trades the Heat Should Consider
Making it to the conference finals in only their first year together, the Miami Heat have shown that they have what it takes to be a dominant team. But with other superstars joining forces, will the Heat ever dominate the way we thought they would?
Days after the decision, people were saying that they could win 73 games and multiple championships in a row. And to be fair, the idea sounded very plausible at the time. But with other teams courting superstar free agents to construct their own super teams, the Heat may lose their competitive edge.
The Knicks are hoping for Chris Paul, Dwight Howard will probably leave Orlando and join with another star, and the OKC Thunder have two young legit superstars who look like they will have the Thunder contending for years. It won't be long until the playing field is even.
So what should the Heat do to improve their team? Trade Chris Bosh for better role players and more depth. The Bulls have the star power, but the reason they were able to make it to the conference finals because of their quality bench play.
Great shooters and defensive players coming off the bench are vital for a championship-caliber team. With two of the best basketball players in the world already on your team, you don't need a third star. You need players who can come in the game and keep a lead.
With that being said, here are five trades that would make the Heat better.
Anderson Verejao, JJ. Hickson and Daniel Gibson for Chris Bosh
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After that scathing letter Dan Gilbert wrote about LeBron, I doubt he would be interested in making a trade with the Heat. But if he puts the past behind him, this trade could help both teams.
The Heat need big men. J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao would be great matches on the Heat. Both would play defense, grab rebounds and make the hustle plays.
Daniel Gibson is a deadly three-point shooter. He shot 40 percent from downtown last year while scoring 11 points per game and three assists in 27 minutes per game. The Heat need a spark off the bench and Gibson can be that guy.
With the Cavs in a rebuilding stage, I think they would gladly take a 27-year-old Chris Bosh to go along with those two top-four picks in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov and Al Harrington for Chris Bosh
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Wilson Chandler is the definition of a role player. He can score, rebound and is a playmaker. He is the perfect player to come off the bench and give the Heat a spark for when LeBron and Wade are not in the game.
Timofey Mozgov is young and raw, but with some coaching, he could turn into a solid NBA player. Standing at 7'1" and 250 pounds, he has the physical tools to be a more than effective pro.
Al Harrington is a proven NBA player. He is a 14-year veteran, but he still has some gas left in the tank. He had his best season as a pro in 2008 averaging 20 points and six rebounds.
Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey for Chris Bosh
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The Heat need a quality big man and point guard. Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey are two guys who could fill those roles.
Greg Monroe has only played one season, but he has shown that he can be a great rebounder and a pretty good scorer at times. He averaged nine points and 7.5 rebounds in his rookie season while only playing 27 minutes.
The Pistons may be a little uneasy about giving up such a promising talent, but Chris Bosh is an established star who can fill up the seats and help the Pistons right now.
In a league where point guards reign supreme, the Heat have an aging Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers. Not exactly the combo that will win you championships.
Rodney Stuckey would give them the playmaking ability at point guard that the Heat have lacked all season. He averaged 15 points and five assists last season for the Pistons while only playing 30 minutes. Give him starter's minutes, and he will impress a lot of people.
Robin Lopez and Marcin Gortat for Chris Bosh
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To go along with the theme of "Big Men," Marcin Gortat and Robin Lopez are two centers the Heat should look at.
Marcin Gortat is a very underrated talent. He plays good defense and can rebound the ball as well as anyone when given the time. He is the perfect guy to be that starting center the Heat need.
Robin Lopez isn't as good as his brother, but he is a hard worker who will rebound and make hustle plays. He has more than enough talent to come off the bench and help the Heat win a title.
The Suns are in a rebuilding stage right now and would love to get another star to replace Steve Nash who is 37. Chris Bosh would keep the fans interested in the team and help them get back to the playoffs.
Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Chris Bosh
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Playing on the same team as Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman, DeAndre Jordan doesn't get the media attention or the minutes he deserves. Averaging only 25 minutes per game last year, Jordan tallied seven points, seven rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
He's a strong defensive player and extremely athletic. He has the talent to be the post presence that the Heat have been searching for all season long.
Eric Bledsoe was only a rookie last year, but played well when given the chance. He averaged six points, three assists and 1.1 steals last year. With his speed, he can get anywhere on the court he wants.
His quick feet and hands will make him a huge defensive threat in the coming years. With Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams in the Eastern Conference, the Heat need a point guard that can play defense.
The Clippers are one piece away from being good. Add Chris Bosh to Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, and you have one of the best trio's in the Western Conference.
