Pat Riley Still Exploring Options

by David Dwork on Feb 16, 2009 6:51 PM EST

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The Heat may not be done dealing before Thursday's trade deadline. With the loss of Marcus Banks in the Shawn Marion/Jermaine O'Neal trade, the Heat have a hole at the bottom of the point guard food chain. This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but think about this: What happens if Mario Chalmers has to miss any kind of time? BOOM Chris Quinn is starting. Or D-Wade plays the point while Daequan starts. I know that sounds great, but believe me...we don't want Wade playing point guard. During a conference call on Friday, Pat Riley said he plans to address the Heat's need for a 3rd PG, so lets see what options the Heat may have.

If the Heat plan on making a trade, there are limited options available. Earl Watson is being dangled by the Thunder and could be targeted by Riley. There is also the possibility of Portland making Sergio Rodriguez available, as they are also deep at PG. The question is, who will the Heat give up? James Jones or Yakhouba Diawara are some of our more expendable players, and I think you can now throw Jamaal Magloire in the mix. I can't see the Heat letting go of Joel Anthony now that they can use him exclusively off the bench, just like I cant see anybody being interested in obtaining Mark Blount and his $8 million salary.

How about the waiver wire? So glad you asked. Here is a list of point guards that could be waived by the March 1st deadline: Jamaal Tinsley, Damon Jones and Stephan Marbury. I like the idea of bringing in Tinsley, a good defender, who will be better suited with a strong supporting cast around him. It's still up in the air as to what Indiana will do with him, but at this point a buyout or waiving seems appropriate.

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Shawn Livingston...remember him? Well he may be available; after being traded from Miami to Memphis he was cut by the Grizz shortly after and has been chilling in Miami since. Shawn could be a quick fix, being that he is familiar with Miami's playbook, but his limited playing time is a factor still, as it was back in January.

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u read my mind

i was sitting in class today thinking that since we gave up Banks we have a hole at PG…I’m not totally thrilled with anyone of the options you threw out there, but if i had to pick one, it would be Damon Jones…He is familiar with the organization and how it runs, he is familiar with the city and the fans, and he has played with DWade and they are comfortable together. He is also comfortable with the playbook, as i think it hasn’t changed much since Spoelstra took over for Riley…What’s the deal with Steph? I know he’s feuding with the Knicks, and they refuse to release, trade, or buy him out and that he hasn’t played a minute all year. IF he can play like he did a few years ago and is not a problem character wise, that might actually be a pretty good move for us, but thats a big if…Does he practice with the Knicks? I’m curious to see what kinda shape he is in

-I did what last night?
-no, i didnt!!!
-I DID?!?!
-SHUT THE F*CK UP!!!!

-No excuses, No explanations

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Feb 16, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions

I'm pretty sure he isn't premitted around the team anymore

but is still under contract, just like Tinsley. If nobody will trade for them, then the teams can buy them out or waive them and hope somebody picks up their contracts.

Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community Juggernaut

by David Dwork on Feb 16, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

alright, thanks for clearing that up

-I did what last night?
-no, i didnt!!!
-I DID?!?!
-SHUT THE F*CK UP!!!!

-No excuses, No explanations

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Feb 16, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Damon Jones!

I dont like tinsley. He’s a starting caliber PG which is not needed. We do need a backup like watson or jones.

by kazam92 on Feb 16, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply actions

Watson

I personally like Watson the best out of all these options. I dont want Starbury because i think he will be a major distraction and i dont think he will mesh well with this team at all. Ive always liked Tinsley but i agree that i think hes going to want more minutes and its yet to be seen if he can stay in the backup role and be happy.

Earl Watson knows how to run a team and knows he is a role player. He would be the best for the team right now, the only thing is im not exactly sure what the Thunder would be looking for to get him.

Forget Damon Jones. The only reason he was any good was because of Shaq demanding double and triple teams leaving him wide open. I know that Jermaine O’Neal (if back to old form) will demand a double team every once and a while but its not going to be like Shaq was. I didnt like the way Damon Jones handled the ball coming up the court. I think hes a liability and Watson would be much better in our position.

by Keebler on Feb 17, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions

I'd say go for Earl Watson

at least he’ll play defense. Damon Jones is physically incapable of defending anybody, so he’ll probably end up buried on the bench anyway.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 17, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions

he wasn't the first time he was on this team

he actually played an important role and made some big shots for us…..

-I did what last night?
-no, i didnt!!!
-I DID?!?!
-SHUT THE F*CK UP!!!!

-No excuses, No explanations

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Feb 17, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

he was a great shooter and he ran the point well enough, but you can’t say he’s anything other than a defensive liability.

"Are we doing this? Is this happening?"

by Little Nicky 21 on Feb 17, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

true story

-I did what last night?
-no, i didnt!!!
-I DID?!?!
-SHUT THE F*CK UP!!!!

-No excuses, No explanations

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Feb 17, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions

less of a defensive liability then Quinn tho...

Damon is an upgrade at Quinn at everything other then shooting, where they both can be lethal but have been inconsistent. Damon only takes 3s and layups, Quinn will step in a take an 18-footer. Depth is the main goal right now.

Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community Juggernaut

by David Dwork on Feb 17, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions