Miller Time for Miami?

Okay, you don't have to groan about Pat Riley interested in signing another oldie for his team. The Heat aren't interested in signing Reggie Miller. Apparently, the Andre Miller rumors have even cooled off. The New York Daily News reported today that the Heat are interested in acquiring Mike Miller.

"Desperate to give Dwyane Wade a long-distance shooter on the perimeter, where Miami misses Jason Kapono and James Posey, the Heat is looking at making a deal for Memphis' Mike Miller. With Alonzo Mourning suffering what figures to be a career-ending knee injury, the Heat might also expand the deal to include Stromile Swift."

The positives about Mike Miller is his three-point shooting and his willingness to crash the boards. Miller, 27, is shooting 43.2% from beyond the arc. He is also averaging seven rebounds per game this season. The Heat should jump on the chance to acquire Mike Miller. This is a guy who has the potential for huge games if he is on fire. Miller's consistent stroke is exactly what Wade and Shaq need to kick out of double-teams.


The drop off is that Miller is not a good defender. Over the course of the past 11 games, Miami has scored 100 or more nine times. Yet the Heat have been 4-7 in those games. The need for a consistent third option is imperative, but the immediate need is defense. This could be the deciding factor in going for Miller as opposed to a more defensive-oriented player, such as Mikael Pietrus, who has recently shown interest in the Heat.

Stromile Swift is a player who is extremely talented and is an amazing athlete, but has failed to live up to the hype after being drafted second overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. However, that doesn't mean he can't help Miami. With no backup for Haslem and Alonzo Mourning out for the year, Miami is in dire need of some help in the front-court. Swift could provide the Heat with some shot-blocking, as well as a solid eight to 10 points off the bench.

Obviously, I would love for the Heat to make this trade. It may not fix everything wrong with the Heat, but it could provide them with a building block going into next season. The question now is who they will give up. Ricky Davis is an obvious option with his expiring contract. Mark Blount could also be an option, but his contract is not exactly a sight to see. Smush Parker and Jason Williams may also be discussed, but the Grizzlies already have a logjam at the point guard position with Damon Stoudamire, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Kyle Lowry.