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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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Feb 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Amar’e Stoudemire (1) adjusts his glasses before returning to the game during the second half against he Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Bench Help, STAT

After earning $21 million last season, the bought-out Amar’e Stoudemire faces the most drastic pay cut of any NBA player heading into the 2015-16 season. STAT’s value has been declining for years due to frequent injury problems, but getting an experienced and still useful big like Stoudemire on a one-year contract (worth the veteran’s minimum) is yet another tremendous move for Riley.

Last season, Stoudemire averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game for the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. Though he’s 32 and has been injury-prone, the Heat will have a much deeper frontcourt if STAT can stay healthy and provide a low-post presence off the bench.

Stoudemire will be reunited with his former teammate Goran Dragic, he’ll be playing on/strengthening an Eastern contender and he’ll be doing it all for $1.5 million next season. That’s not a bad way to add talent without going too far into the luxury tax.

Grade: B

Next: Tax-Shaving Trades

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