Miami Heat: Free Agency Recap; Pat Riley Rebounds

After losing Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat rebounded in free agency nicely; here’s a recap

Pat Riley, known as the “God Father”, came into this offseason trying to land a big fish in Kevin Durant, and it didn’t happen. Riley was able to lock down center Hassan Whiteside to a four-year, $98 million contract. However, only to lose future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade in the process to the Chicago Bulls, his hometown team.

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat organization were faced with all kind of scrutiny, turmoil, and national media question marks concerning their best player in franchise history not returning to the team.

The immediate future looked bleak for Pat Riley and the Miami Heat; all seemed lost. How would Miami recover and fill out the roster?

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If there was any executive, coach, or man you don’t bet against, it’s Pat Riley.

With seven roster spots needed to be filled, Pat Riley went to work as only Pat Riley can do. He rebounded and landed on his feet.

Free Agent Signings

Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams provides quality depth at both forward positions standing at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds; Williams appeared in 80 games for the New York Knicks last season, averaging nine points and nearly four rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range.

Important to note: Williams shot 36 percent on corner threes last season, something head coach Erik Spoelstra features in his offense.

Williams’ skill set of being an athletic young forward, slasher and rim-attacker who loves to get out and run in transition will compliment Goran Dragic‘s game very well, as seen in this video.

Williams is a willing defender and at only 25 years old is a good acquisition by Pat Riley.

Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington plays his best games, it seems, against the Heat. At 6-foot-4, Ellington is a knockdown floor spacer three-point shooter, who Miami has coveted the last two years. Ellington is a career 37 percent three-point shooter, who can create his shot, run the floor and plays the passing lanes well on defense, as seen in this video.

James Johnson

James Johnson is a 6-foot-9 power forward weighing in at 250 pounds, who has the versatility to play center in coach Erik Spoelstra’s small ball unit. Johnson is a slasher, rim-attacker and can take you off the dribble in space or down in the box. He’s also a willing shot-blocker and low post defender, that’s known to be a great teammate.

Johnson is a seven-year veteran and at 29 years old, still brings a high level of athleticism to the table and toughness, as seen in this video.

Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem as recently discussed brings stability and leadership to the table; it’s like having an extension of the coaching staff on the court.

Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson is a building block for the future; the Miami Heat and Pat Riley had to match the offer sheet from Brooklyn, especially after the loss of Dwyane Wade in free agency.

Luke Babbitt

Luke Babbitt, who was acquired via trade, is a 6-foot-9 forward who will space the floor; he’s a career 40 percent three-point shooter that can also take you off the dribble to get his own shot and finish at the basket, as seen in this video.

Miami should be real familiar with Babbitt because he torched the Heat for 23 points last year in a game in late March.

Babbitt will bring versatility by being able to play multiple positions for the Heat. His ability to space the floor will be instrumental in the style of the game that coach Erik Spoelstra has been yearning to play, but has lacked the right personnel.

Babbitt was buried on the depth chart in N.O while playing for the Pelicans; only averaging 18 mins a game last year and 13.5 mins throughout his career – limited opportunities, something that could change for him in Miami.

Willie Reed

Willie Reed, last year’s summer league sensation, is no stranger to the Heat. While playing with Miami’s Summer League team last season, the Brooklyn Nets swooped in and signed Reed before Miami could make an offer.

Overall, Miami lacked frontline depth last year due to injuries and lack of production – Miami needed to address the backup center position.

Reed averaged 4.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and nearly one block in 39 games for the Nets last season. He also shot at an efficient rate 57 percent from the field.

Reed brings a shot-blocking, a rebounding presence to the table along with much-needed toughness and added touch around the basket. As seen in the Video you can understand why Reed was a crucial signing for Miami.

Operation Youth Movement

Miami Heat and Pat Riley have rebounded nicely by putting together a team composed of only three players of 30-plus years of age on the roster. A young core group of Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson, Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder and Briante Weber have all played together the last two years via summer league, D-league, pre/regular season or playoffs.

Miami is building camaraderie, continuity and chemistry amongst its young core and within its franchise.

must read: Grading Every NBA Team's Free Agency Moves

Fans will be excited to get the season underway and see this fun and highly athletic team getting out in transition. No one knows what the future will hold, but Pat Riley just rebounded with a highly competitive team with loads of talent, upside and potential.