However, that hasn’t been the case. There are several names out there that have proven to be significant role players in their careers, including current free agent and former Washington Wizard Andray Blatche. The 6’11″, 235-pound forward has basically been ignored for the majority of the offseason and has reportedly heard little to no interest from any organization, including the Wizards team he spent seven years with.

Dec 18, 2010; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards power forward Andray Blatche (7) celebrates a play with head coach Flip Saunders against the Miami Heat during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE

That may have changed. ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted that the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat have shown exploratory interest in Blatche. Both would serve good homes to Blatche with the Spurs looking for an option outside of DeJuan Blair and the Heat always being in need of someone who could take up time at the four or five positions. The Spurs have the advantage in terms of expenditure, but the Heat have the advantage of being the 2012 NBA champions.

(more…)

July 11 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat player Ray Allen (center) fields questions from reporters next to head coach Erik Spoelstra (right) and Heat president Pat Riley (left) during a press conference at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The Miami Heat have had an excellent offseason thus far. While Ronny Turiaf may have officially departed for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Heat made one of the biggest splashes of the summer, once again, by signing sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The two joined the Heat following Ray taking a mini mid-level exception worth $9 million over the next three years, while Lewis took the veteran’s minimum after receiving a $14 million buyout from New Orleans.

For the third consecutive offseason, the Heat let it be known who their targets were and accomplished their goal of acquiring said targets. The same goes for 2010 when they re-signed Dwyane Wade and picked up LeBron James and Chris Bosh among others, as well as in 2011 when they were running short on funds and managed to sign Shane Battier to a deal similar to Allen’s. Battier would eventually be a key component in the Heat’s championship run.

(more…)