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Miami Heat: Grading The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball in the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball in the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Heat
Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) reacts after making a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Green Machine

The Heat had to re-sign Dragic and Wade to have any hope of seriously challenging Cleveland in the East, but doing so sent them deep into luxury tax territory. Moving contracts like Josh McRoberts or Mario Chalmers would theoretically ease the impact of the punitive tax, but Riley would still face the difficult task of building a bench with limited room.

Consider signing the dynamic and enigmatic Gerald Green to a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum step one in that process.

Like Goran Dragic, the Green Machine was a major part of Phoenix’s backcourt in 2013-14 — when the Suns won 48 games and came one victory short of making the playoffs as the NBA’s pleasant surprise. Also like Dragic, Green’s value on the 2014-15 Suns was minimized by positional overlap. By the end of the year, Green was firmly implanted on head coach Jeff Hornacek‘s bench.

That’s probably the reason why Riley was able to snag Green’s instant offense for such a low price, since his production dipped to 11.9 points in 19.5 minutes per game (on 35.4 percent shooting from three-point range) last season. But the quick trigger and athleticism never went anywhere.

With the right amount of trust and playing time, Green can be an extremely important sixth man for a Heat team in need of offense and depth.

Don’t forget, he’s only one year removed from a season in which he averaged 15.8 points per game on 40 percent shooting from three-point range. Green will take (and make) some bad shots, but I’d be shocked if Heat fans don’t love him by the end of the season.

Grade: A-

Next: Bench Help, STAT

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