Heat in 7

They'll have to do a lot to their roster. The issue with the concept of a true "Big 3" was the instability of it.

It's based on the idea that all one needs are three superstars that will take enough of a pay-cut to play with each other and that role players will take enough pay-cuts to want to play with them along with strong drafting.

1.) There's not enough available money for the Heat to significantly fix their bench (their biggest problem). They need the Big 3 to all restructure their contract or cast one aside like Bosh.

2.) The number of players they have been getting that are willing to take a pay-cut isn't enough. It's been too many players who are either injury riddled or too far past thirty, so Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Greg Oden. There's not enough young athletic talent on the roster. They remind me of the Lakers that lost to the Pistons. There are great role players out there, but what's evident of the last four finals is that one doesn't need to be on the Heat to win a title. It can be done elsewhere. So, there's no reason to take a significant pay-cut if you are a young athletic role player.

3.) They haven't drafted very well. Short of Norris Cole, who was a no-show these finals, I can't think of an impact draft pick they have made.

4.) It's not a true "Big" 3 anymore. I don't think D Wade will ever be a super-star caliber player again. He could be a good and at times great player, but he won't be a consistently great player. So not only can the Heat not count on him night in and night out, even if he got surgery, he's being paid like a superstar player. Thereby, limiting their options. Lastly, it doesn't help that Bosh was never a true superstar player, even in Toronto. He was a franchise player, not a superstar. Even before he joined the Heat, he had only average over 24 ppg or over once in his career, as comparison, Wade: 5 times Lebron: 6 times. Bosh is a good, sometimes great player. Yet, he's being paid like a superstar.

Too much of their resources are tied-up in three players and it's going to make it difficult to see any major improvements, and I do believe they need major improvements. Riley has a limited amount of moves to make and he's going to have to get very creative, short of his players taking pay-cuts.

LeBron James won't be back with The Heat next season my guess. I wouldn't be suprised if he goes to either the Clippers, Bulls or the Cavs or Sign and trade deal to the Knicks for Melo.

I would agree. I don't think restructuring contracts will work, not if it's to bring on Carmelo, which would be the main reason the three would be willing to restructure. However, I don't think Carmelo would work on the Heat. I also don't think the three would be willing to restructure enough for bench talent or to bring on sizable enough bench talent.

I think their best move is to bring on Kevin Love through a sign and trade, then have him, Lebron, and Wade restructure. I think that will upgrade the talent of the big 3, letting them be lax a bit on their bench.

The only issue with this course is the fact that they'll have to trade away precious draft picks to make a Kevin Love deal happen. Solid draft picks is the best way to acquire young athletic talent quickly for a bench.

The addition of Kevin Love will also still make it difficult for them to improve their bench through free agency. They'd still be relying on older players looking for a chance at a championship or injured guys looking for bounce back years.

They need a bench. I think more than Bosh not showing up and more than Wade's health, it's why they couldn't compete against the Spurs.

The biggest issues for the Heat are draft picks and salary cap. The league has made it more difficult for a big 3 to happen and sustain itself since it happened four years ago through restricting player movement through harsher contracts.

Wade is entitled to his money.  I dont think it makes him look bad by not opting out.  I'll never question any player on any team in any sport (especially football) for taking the money while they can.  There is only so many years an athlete can get paid and I dont fault them for trying to get as much while they can.  It's easy for us to say Wade should leave 40m guaranteed and take less money.  But I do think he will opt out and restructure his deal so he can stay in Miami for the rest of his career.  There is an article in Forbes though that states an over 36 rule might impact his and the teams decision and how it would affect the salary cap.

www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/10/31/the-nba-rule-that-may-make-dwyane-wades-free-agency-more-interesting-than-lebrons/

The Heat cant just trade Bosh.  They need him to restructure his deal too and he wants to stay in Miami.   There is no way he doesnt opt in if he thinks they wanna trade him and I doubt the Twolves want him for 2yrs 40 + mil.  

If he left I'd be more surprised than when  he left the Cavs.  He trusts Riley, he trusts Mickey Arinson the owner.  He can meet those teams and they can offer him the world but he knows that Heat organization but him in position to play in four straight championships.  

A good bench keeps your stars rested. It's cyclical.

If the Heat have a good bench then there's more opportunities to give Wade, or Bosh, or Lebron who was clearly gassed in a few of these games, rest.

Maybe you get a better performance out of Bosh if he has rest. Maybe you have more of Lebron's energy down the stretch when he needs to dominate with some rest. It goes back to having a bench that give your stars rest. Even Wade might have been a bit better if his minutes could have been managed with an ample back-up.

Spurs went to work and just completely outplayed the Heat.

Wade and Bosh were relative no shows. Wade isn't elite anymore. I'm sorry but consistency is key if you are going to be a high caliber player. He shows flashes of his former self but he isn't a number 2 option anymore and actually might be better suited for a off the bench Ginobili role.

Spaneli is right Bosh was never really a true superstar and I honestly don't know if he has the balls enough to take charge in certain situations. He is still a great 3rd option but relying on him to be your number 2 isn't going to cut it unless you have the right 3rd option.

The Heat need big upgrades with regards to their roster. Bench needs a lot of work and they need more consistent PG play. Cole is still young he could work if Chalmers decides to leave. Beasley was a gamble but he still might pan out.

Sad to see Battier go one of my personal favorites. I actually got the chance to meet him at Duke back on 2001 after Duke won the national championship. He was the ultimate professional and team player. Maybe the smartest guy in the league.

Wade reminds me or his career turning into a Penny Hardaway type of career. Awesome, All Star, Star type of player to a injury plaque 6th man role player.