Although the Miami Heat streak of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances came to an end this year, a 2015-16 starting lineup that is expected to feature a trio of All-Star candidates should help propel Erik Spoelstra & Co. back into the playoffs.
The re-signing of free agent Goran Dragic to pair with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh instantly makes the Heat one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference next season. When you add a budding star like Hassan Whiteside into the mix, Miami inches even closer to becoming a legit title contender.
With an abundance of top-shelf talent, Miami needs a makeover off its bench and aging role players to seriously challenge for another NBA crown. Here are five players the Heat need to trade during the offseason to become an elite team again.
1. Mario Chalmers
The seven-year veteran has proven to be more productive as a starter than a reserve, and this dilemma is one of the biggest reasons that Miami needs to deal Chalmers sooner rather than later.
The 28-year-old shot an eye-opening 61.9 percent while averaging 17.4 points and 6.5 assists over an eight-game stretch when Wade was sidelined. And over his NBA career, “Super Mario” has consistently performed better in a starting role as opposed to coming off the bench.
Chalmers did post a career high 10.2 points a game this past season, but shot a horrendous 29.4 percent from behind the arc. The Heat could use a sixth man who can score in bunches which it currently does not have.
Next: Chris Andersen
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2. Chris Andersen
The steep decline of the 36-year-old big man on the defensive end has to be a major concern for the Heat this offseason. Besides finishing with the lowest block rate of his career, Andersen also allowed 50.4 percent shooting at the rim.
While the “Birdman” did average a respectable 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, the rigors of 12 NBA seasons have robbed the 6’10” big man of the athleticism that has made him such a key contributor the past few years.
Andersen can still be an effective backup for another one or two seasons. But if Miami wants to make a deep playoff run next year, the popular Texan needs to be coming off the bench in a different uniform.
Next: Shabazz Napier
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3. Shabazz Napier
The 2014 first-round pick appeared in 51 games for the Heat before having season-ending surgery with a sports hernia. Although the 23-year-old enjoyed a productive stretch in November, Miami must decide if its backup point guard is more valuable as a trade asset.
The University of Connecticut product averaged 5.1 points, 2.5 assists and 19.8 minutes in his rookie campaign and showed flashes of his playmaking skills. However, a lack of defensive prowess combined with a penchant for turnovers should make him expendable this summer while his trade value remains high.
Napier possesses championship pedigree, excellent court vision and displays good decision-making in transition. But if Miami wants to be a title contender next season, a veteran needs to be running the offense when Dragic is not in the game.
Next: Udonis Haslem
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4. Udonis Haslem
This won’t go over well with Heat fans, but let’s face it, the days of U.D. entering the game and making a difference on either end of the floor are gone. Father time has caught up with the soon-to-be 35-year-old and it’s time for Miami to cut ties with the Florida native.
Haslem did average 4.2 points and 4.2 boards per game, and can still help a team as a rebounder. But the 6-foot-8 fan favorite has become a defensive liability who made just 57 percent of his shots at the rim this past season.
Next: Zoran Dragic
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5. Zoran Dragic
A spot-up shooter, who connected on just 3-of-9 shots from behind the three-point line, the 25-year-old younger brother of Goran appears to have little value to the Heat after playing a minuscule 62 minutes last season.
Dragic played two unimpressive seasons in Spain’s Liga ACB and averaged 7.7 points per game while shooting three-pointers at a woeful 29 percent clip. Although he will have limited trade value, Miami should not sacrifice a roster spot just to appease his older brother.
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