Miami Heat aiming at Grant Hill, Tayshaun Prince and Shane Battier in the free agency – NBA Update
With the trio of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in their ranks, Miami Heat performed exceptionally last season and defied all odds to reach the NBA Finals, where they lost out 4-2 to the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the weakness that became apparent in their arsenal during the playoffs run was the lack of steel on the point guard and centre positions and the misfiring fringe players. And the Heat know it. Just weeks after the Finals
heartbreak, Pat Riley, the head of basketball operations at the South Beach franchise vowed to overcome that deficiency either by draft, free agency or by a trade.
He and the Heat made the first move by playing around to get Norris Cole at the point guard slot and now according to sources, veteran players Shane Battier, Grant Hill and Tayshaun Prince have been shortlisted for the free agency,
whenever it takes place.
The National Basketball Association is in a lockout these days and the teams cannot negotiate or trade players. But there are no restrictions on the teams to consider various options to be hired as free agents for the next season.
Miami Heat has also adopted a proactive approach and numerous players are under consideration for that purpose.
Among the three, Hill is a thirty eight years old player who has played as small forward in Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns. With a wealth of experience behind him, his presence on the field can give LeBron James
to get some time off the court.
Last season with the Suns, Hill scored 13.2 points and became one of six players of NBA ever to average 13 or more points at his age. Although, he will not offer much advantage in the long run but he can certainly boost Miami’s
chances next season, especially since James Jones has opted to be a free agent.
Shane Battier is another good option. Battier has spent most of his career playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Although, he is not a big threat on the offense, his presence can certainly add some strength to the Heat back court
and in effect could take much of the defensive load from James and Bosh. If the trade does take place, it will also be beneficial for Battier, who has been reduced to a reserve role in Memphis because of a certain Zach Randolph.
Prince is the third name that is in the loop. He has been affiliated with the Detroit Pistons since 2002 and was part of the 2004 squad that won the Championship. Now in the twilight of his career, his experience can certainly
add some value to the Heat cause.
Apart from these three, Tracy McGrady and Michael Redd have also been in the mix of things. McGrady is experienced and is a superb outside shooter, a thing that the Heat were desperately found short of last season. Redd is also
an option but his injury prone body means that he hold little chance.
Tags: