MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Andray Blatche #7 of the Washington Wizards is contested by Joel Anthony #50 and James Jones #22 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)There have been no shortage of eye rolls from fans this summer every time a headline starts, “Miami HEAT Show Interest In…” because in the cases of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, both respected NBA veterans worth way more than they’ll be making in South Beach next season, the HEAT got two players that should inexplicably make them better.And Pat Riley got those players by flashing championship rings in front of their faces. It’s a recruiting pitch that works, and it’s why literally every free agent in the world lays his head on his pillow at night thinking, “You know, it wouldn’t be so bad to take less money and go a year or two alongside LeBron and D-Wade in one of the most entertaining cities in the country that, oh-by-the-way, doesn’t have any state income tax.”
All that said, it’s not surprising to see ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reporting that Miami is doing some leg work on free agent Andray Blatche, arguably the best free agent left in the pool at this point.
Of course they are.
According to the Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman, Blatche owns a house in South Florida and has been holding the majority of his summer workouts right there in Miami, and that combined with all the other reasons players love the HEAT—of which a championship wouldn’t be the least of them—has the rumor mill grinding once again.
Though, as Winderman points out, despite the advantages, there are some distinct disadvantages to a player signing up for duty in Miami, particularly for a player like Blatche, who needs the right opportunity to re-establish himself as a credible NBA player. He’s not necessarily going to get that as the 10th man on a championship team, the same way Eddy Curry didn’t get much of an opportunity to re-establish himself as a credible NBA player in Miami.
Blatche could certainly take a gig with Miami (or even San Antonio, who is also reportedly showing some interest), but it’s a whole different kind of opportunity. It’s an opportunity to win a championship on Washington’s dime, in a city that he loves, with some of the greatest players to ever grace a court. What it is not, however, is an opportunity to actually play, so it will be interesting to see where Blatche’s values lie should Miami eventually come forward with a deal.
They haven’t yet; according to Stein all they’re doing is background work right now, but if that does come up, Miami might further bolster their squad with the best bargain bin talent available. It won’t be the last time that happens, either.
