The first thing I'd do is tell Dwyane Wade to rest until he is 100% healthy. Wade's shoulder dislocation is actually much worse than initially reported, as Wade suffered nerve damage in addition to the dislocation. I've never been big on tanking, but when it gets to the point that your best player is playing hurt in a season already lost, resting Wade appears to have little, if any, downfall.
Prior to the February trading deadline, I would trade Smush Parker, Mark Blount, Dorell Wright, and cash compensation to the Warriors for Mickael Pietrus, Brandan Wright, and their first round pick. Smush Parker has been exiled from the team and trading him to anyone would be a success. Mark Blount has been playing well, but his contract is just too heavy. Trading him for a promising power forward in Brandan Wright is a good decision. Dorell Wright was the last player to receive action in Friday's rout to the Hornets, which speaks to where he stands with the team right now.
Miami is doing a pretty good job of losing games, so a high lottery pick is likely. With their first pick, I would like to see Miami choose Derrick Rose, a pass-first point guard who can score willingly. With the pick acquired from Golden State, I would like to see Miami choose Roy Hibbert. Hibbert is a center with great size and strength who can immediately fulfill the role of backup center. With the Heat's second-round pick, I'd like to see them pick up a swingman, preferrably Brandon Rush.
As I have said before, my main target in free agency would be Ron Artest, who will probably opt-out of his contract. People have told me that Artest will go to the Knicks. The Knicks mock the salary cap and luxury tax, so I see it difficult to fathom New York signing anyone worth above $6 million. It may very well be the Miami Heat alone in the Ron Artest sweepstakes.
I would also sign Chris Duhon as the backup point guard to Rose. Although Duhon will not score a lot, he is a good team defender and can consistently hit the three. Another player who I would sign is Marcus Slaughter. Slaughter impressed in training camp, but was cut due to Miami's fear of dipping further into the luxury tax. Slaughter would be signed for depth in the power forward role.
Miami would have a strong rotation of Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Ron Artest, Udonis Haslem, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Duhon, Daequan Cook, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Wright, and Roy Hibbert. In one single summer, Miami would have gone from a bunch of old has-beens to a youthful extravagance. This team would be a group of guys that hang their hats on defense, with the addition of offensive firepower.
One of the best things coming out of this overhaul could be the revival of Shaquille O'Neal. With three-point threats such as Rose, Artest, Duhon, Cook, and Pietrus, defenses will think twice before double-teaming Shaq. Therefore, O'Neal would have more space to work down low. While he will not the Shaq of old again, an increased production from the Big Fella is feasible.
Concern is growing in South Florida of the possibility of Dwyane Wade opting out of his contract in two seasons. Unless the Heat do a revamp of this magnitude, there is no reason for Wade to stay in Miami. Many players on this team are CBA-material and have no trade bait. If Miami continues to overlook the weaknesses in their porous team, it may take years for the Heat to return to contention.
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