Offseason for Heat is Cooling Off

Make no mistake, Mo Williams' decision will be the barometer for the Heat's offseason as they continue their search for some stability at point guard.

If Mo signs with the Heat, instantly there is a lot of talk about how good of a move this is and how it will rejuvenate the Heat and their title hopes. And you can bet Zo will jump back on the bandwagon and opt to stick around.

If Mo doesn't sign, the Heat are all of a sudden hit with a cold reality - their roster is good but not great and there is not enough talent on the roster to complement Wade and Shaq and push them back into the Finals.

There are conflicting reports out there - some media outlets have reported that Mo Williams is going to sign with the Heat (such as annual Heat hater Marc Stein), and there is the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that is trying so hard to report that Mo has opted to stay put.

Yet, let's look at alternatives that are some realistic possibilities for the Heat.

There are reports out of Sacramento that the Bucks and Kings might be considering a swap for Yi Jianlian, whose representation has stated he wouldn't play in Milwaukee. If the Kings and Bucks work out a deal, it could possibly include a talent like Mike Bibby - who has had problems playing alongside Ron Artest. This means that the Bucks might be shifting gears in anticipation of losing Mo Williams. How would a move like that affect Mo's playing time? Something more for Mo Williams to consider.

Speaking of Bibby, the Heat have long been interested in the point guard and he could still be a backup plan of sorts if the Heat lose out in the Mo Williams saga. There even was a rumor that the Heat were willing to deal Udonis Haslem for Bibby or Artest. The fact that the Artest trade talks have died down may indicate that the Kings are looking to deal Bibby instead.

There is also a possibility the Heat revisit Rafer Alston, who currently plays in Houston and could be available.

Steve Blake, a Miami native, also has been involved in talks with the Heat. Blake is asking for at least the full mid-level exception, 5.3M, but questions abound whether or not he is worth that much. The Lakers and Heat were the favorites, now it looks like LA is backing off (after signing Derrick Fisher) and the Nuggets instead have stepped up.

Also available, suddenly, is Orlando's Travis Diener. Due to the Rashard Lewis signing, the fallout for the Magic is they will have to stand losing Grant Hill (to Phoenix), Darko Milicic (to Memphis) and will not be able to re-sign Diener and Bo Outlaw. Diener has some upside, a nice outside shot and good handles plus he has played with Dwyane Wade back in their Marquette days.

Still on the market are Brevin Knight and Jason Hart, two defensively-minded point guards that have experience running offenses in the NBA and could be had for a reasonable sum.

Also, keep an eye on Orien Greene currently playing for the Heat in summer league. Always a strong defender, he has some size (6'4") and can handle the ball - but he has to improve his outside shooting. Greene can take his man off the dribble and can penetrate, but what he does after that point is another place he needs to improve his game.