After coming close to the NBA championship last season, Miami fell agonizingly short against Dallas last season.
It appears that several key free agents are interested in joining the Heat to help them get back and win this time.
Miami has several appealing qualities that are hard for other teams to match. The chance to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade is the biggest. But warm weather, no income tax and a vibrant city to live in also add to the appeal of playing for them.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports the Heat from center Samuel Dalembert and Shane Battier and are already talking with Caron Butler.
All three of those players would provide Miami with a sizable upgrade at their positions. The Heat likely will have only a $5 million mid-level exception to offer any of them. Dalembert should receive higher offers with other teams. And Battier and Butler would facing the rather daunting ego shot of having to play behind James in the Heat’s rotation.
But having a chance at a championship can make some players perhaps think the unthinkable and accept less money.
Particularly if the chance to regularly party on South Beach is factored into the equation.