A Large, Yet Unsatisfying Plate

I haven't updated my website over the past few days. Part of it is because I have watched the best film of the year so far, The Dark Knight, twice in the past three days. Another part of it is that Pat Riley has seemed to be on vacation for the summer. Now, I've heard the rumors about Brian Skinner, and he'd be a good pick-up. Luol Deng is all but certain to return to Chi-town. Yet Miami needs to make some trades if they want to keep Dwyane Wade.

Miami currently has Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers, James Jones, Daequan Cook, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, and Alonzo Mourning under contract. That's ten names. Also, don't forget the qualifying offers given to Dorell Wright and Chris Quinn. Joel Anthony, Stephane Lasme, and Kasib Powell all have been praised for their strides. All in all, that is 15 names.

Evidently, the Heat need to make some major trades very soon. They only have the $1.9 bi-annual exception left to sign free agents. Pat Riley has apparently not lost interest in Ron Artest, and I have said that he could be a welcome addition to the team. The Heat have also expressed interest in the Warriors' Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins, but Riles is going to have to present Golden State with an offer they simply can't refuse.

Whether it's obtaining the volatile forward in Artest or the young talent of Ellis or Biedrins, the Heat would need to add a third team to the mix. However, I haven't heard much more than mere speculation out of the rumors. Pat Riley should stop worrying about what could happen if Carlos Boozer opts out of his contract and make moves for now.

It's late July. So far, the Heat have picked up Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers in the Draft; they also picked up a lengthy three-point specialist in James Jones. All of these are shrewd moves. However, it is not nearly enough for the Heat to compete with Boston, the team to beat in the East.

Brian Skinner's addition would only add to the logjam at forward for the Heat. It would increase speculation of Udonis Haslem's or Shawn Marion's trade possibilities. But Pat Riley should stop dropping hints as to what he might do and just do it. He can't sit around and make a last-minute trade in October and hope the pieces put themselves together. Look what happened then.