By: Stephen Patterson
It looks as though the Miami Heat will have an almost entirely new team for the 2010-11 season, agreeing to trade Daequan Cook and the 18th pick in tomorrow's draft to Oklahoma City for the 32nd pick. This move is purely a salary related trade, freeing even more money to spend on the biggest free agent class in NBA history. With Cook's departure, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers are the only players the Heat currently have under contract for next season. By including their first round pick in the deal, Miami will also save the money they would have spent on a guaranteed contract. I have a feeling Pat Riley has already decided exactly who he wants to target in free agency and will be making a hard push not only to keep Dwyane Wade, but also bring in some superstar help.
Honestly, I believe Wade will stick around and the team will bring in two more superstar players to add to mix. Personally, I think Riley will go after Amare Stoudemire over Chris Bosh or Carlos Boozer. Bosh is definitely on his way out of Toronto but has said he will try to work with the team for a sign-and-trade, a scenario that doesn't really work for Miami. Also, I feel the Heat are a far better fit for LeBron James to chase championships than Chicago, New York, New Jersey, or Cleveland. He wouldn't be in anyone's shadow (Jordan in Chicago) and wouldn't be under the microscope quite as much as he would in the New York area. Money isn't the issue for LeBron. Anyone saying he will stay in Cleveland because he can make a few million dollars more over the life of his deal is either foolish or confused. He wants to win championships and while he obviously cares about money to a degree, being a part of a NBA champion would easily make up the difference in what he would lose leaving the Cavaliers.
If the Heat can land Wade, James, and Stoudemire they will instantly become the favorites in the Eastern Conference. Even if Miami only gets a pair of superstars, it'll be far easier for them to convince other players to come aboard. With all of the moves and money dumping going on, Riley better hope he can thrust the Heat into the upper tier of the league.
