Miami Heat Rumors: Tyson Chandler and 5 Veterans Who Could Help the Heat
The Miami Heat have lost the NBA finals to the Dallas Mavericks 4-2, and their season has been deemed a failure by the media. The Big Three was supposed to lead this team to six straight titles, but they have yet to win the first one.
Miami's loss was due in part to the Big Three not taking hold of the games and not closing, but it was mainly due to the supporting cast—or lack thereof.
You can say all you want about LeBron James under-performing, but he averaged about 24 points per game, and recorded a triple-double in a game that was ruled as a "bad game" by the media's unrealistic standards.
The Heat need to stock up on other players to help carry the load, and with the Big Three, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller taking up a lot of room in the salary cap, there is limited space left.
That limited space should be filled by veterans, especially those willing to take minimum pay for a shot at a ring.
These five veterans are the ones who the Heat should be targeting, and if they acquire just about any of them, then the team will be championship-bound and looking for a win this time around.
Kenyon Martin
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Kenyon Martin is an unrestricted free agent, coming from the Denver Nuggets.
Martin averages 13.5 points per game for his career and 7.2 rebounds. His numbers have been good for his career, but they have been declining.
Since the 2007-08 season, when Martin averaged 12.4 points per game, his points have been declining, and he has suffered injuries. In other words, the 33-year-old is aging.
Martin still has enough left in the tank for another good season or two, however.
The Heat need a presence down low, because Chris Bosh is not big enough, and they are probably not going to sign back Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Martin has averaged 9.4 and 6.2 rebounds per game in the last two seasons, showing that he can still crash the glass.
Martin would not have to be a big scoring threat for the Heat, and he would just have to focus on playing down low.
Martin would be a good fit for the Heat, and he could have one more title run in his career if he signs with them.
Michael Redd
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Michael Redd suffered an injury-plagued 2010-11 season, and his numbers do not reflect his actual talent and the role that he could play for the Heat.
The 31-year-old guard has averaged 20-plus points per game in his last six seasons in which he played at least 20 games.
Redd is still a shooting threat, and he can also drive to the rim and finish. Redd would give the Heat another scorer, and he could replace Mike Miller or Mario Chalmers, who disappointed this season.
Redd has played his entire 11-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks, but being an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he might decide that he wants to play for a team that actually has a chance to win.
The obvious choice is the Miami Heat because he would not have to play a huge role, but he would still be a threat.
Redd would solidify the Miami offense, and with Wade and James bringing up the ball, they could easily fit him into the system.
Tracy McGrady
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Tracy McGrady has spent 14 seasons in the NBA, and he was once one of the best players in the league.
McGrady has learned how to come off the bench, playing in 72 games in the 2010-11 season, despite only starting in 39 for the Detroit Pistons. T-Mac averaged eight points per game in less than 24 minutes, and he now knows how to make an immediate impact off the bench.
This is a key lesson learned, because McGrady would not be a starter for the Heat, overshadowed by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. McGrady would, however, provide a spark off the bench, something that the Heat desperately needed in the finals against the Mavericks.
McGrady would help the Heat tremendously, and now that he does not need to start, the team would mesh well with him in the mix.
Nene Hilario
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Nene Hilario, known more commonly as Nene, is a 6'11" center from the Denver Nuggets who will be turning 29 in September.
Nene averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in the 2010-11 season, and he was a force down low.
Nene is the perfect candidate to replace the soon-to-be-gone Big Z because he is big and can do it all.
Nene has become a veteran in his nine seasons, and he is seeking a championship.
Stuck with Denver for nine seasons, Nene has not had the chance to win a title, and with a decline brought on by age coming soon, it is time that he takes his talents to a team with a chance to win a title.
Miami is the perfect place for Nene, because their biggest need is probably a good center, and he can fill that position nicely.
Tyson Chandler
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The Miami Heat witnessed exactly what Tyson Chandler can do for themselves in the NBA Finals.
Chandler averaged almost a double-double this season, averaging 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds during the season, and he helped the Mavericks win the NBA title against the Heat.
Chandler is turning 29 in October, and he has already won a ring.
Chandler has been lucky, but being an unrestricted free agent, Chandler will probably still try to win another title, and his best bet may be with the Miami Heat.
The thrill of winning is one that cannot be matched, but Chandler will try to repeat it in the 2011-12 season.
The Heat have some apparent interest in Chandler, and for good reason.
The question now is: Will Chandler take his talents to South Beach?
