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10 Wacky Scenarios Pat Riley Has Planned for Miami Heat

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10 Wacky Scenarios Pat Riley Has Planned for Miami Heat

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There is no question that Pat Riley is one of the greatest basketball minds to ever work in the NBA. That being said, the Miami Heat always have a fighting chance with the genius in the team's corner. After a down season, Riley will be hard at work this summer to rebuild and retake the East. Here are 10 wacky scenarios Riley probably has pondered and could make a reality.

10.) Axe Michael Beasley and James Ennis

Michael Beasley Heat
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10.) Axe Michael Beasley and James Ennis

Michael Beasley Heat
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The Miami Heat control the fate of both Michael Beasley and James Ennis, who will make just over million combined next year. It isn't much money in the grand scheme of things, but it could be the cap space needed to pick up that missing piece, especially if Goran Dragic is signed to a max contract.

9.) Convince Luol Deng to Opt Out

Luol Deng Heat
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9.) Convince Luol Deng to Opt Out

Luol Deng Heat
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Luol Deng is set to make over million next season should the small forward pick up his player option. From Deng's perspective, it could go either way. He could opt out and pursue the last multi-year, double-figure deal of his career. It would come as no surprise if Riley convinced the veteran to opt out, that way the Heat can bring in someone more consistent.

8.) Restructure with Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade Heat
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8.) Restructure with Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade Heat
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Dwyane Wade also has a player option next season for over million. Obviously, he is worth every penny to Miami as the face of the franchise and the one who essentially helped build South Beach. Still, Riley could still go to Wade and ask him to take a pay cut and restructure. The shooting guard has done it before to form the Big 3 and he knows his days are numbered.

7.) Pursue Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis Mavericks
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7.) Pursue Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis Mavericks
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As of right now, Goran Dragic is most likely to remain with Miami, but if he were to bolt elsewhere, here is a backup plan that could prevail. Monta Ellis has shown a rebirth with the Dallas Mavericks and should opt out to seek a new deal. He is a fast-paced, scoring guard who could be fun to pair with Wade in the backcourt. He wouldn't be as expensive as Dragic -- that's for sure.

6.) Trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen

Mario Chalmers Chris Andersen Heat
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6.) Trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen

Mario Chalmers Chris Andersen Heat
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Chris Andersen and Mario Chalmers will make just under million next season. That isn't exactly money well spent as both have proven to be somewhat inconsistent the last two years. It won't be easy to deal Birdman because he is old, but plenty of people may be interested in Chalmers. Paired with that lottery pick, anything is possible.

5.) Tyson Chandler or Amare Stoudemire Could be Cheap

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5.) Tyson Chandler or Amare Stoudemire Could be Cheap

Tyson Chandler Amare Stoudemire NBA
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Rebounding and post play have continued to be thorns in the side of the Heat. With an emerging Hassan Whiteside, the future is bright, but the young center could really use a veteran mentor. That's where Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler come in. Both are way passed their primes, but they would play for minimal money if a possibility of a championship was high.

4.) Sign and Trade Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic Heat
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4.) Sign-and-Trade Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic Heat
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There is no guarantee that Dragic will stay in South Beach, but the hopes are high. However, if he does decide to leave Miami, Riley needs to get something in return. A sign-and-trade would be a good bet since little brother Zoran Dragic is locked under contract and wants to be with big bro. This one has definitely already crossed Riley's mind a couple of times.

3.) Take a Shot at Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Mavericks
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3.) Take a Shot at Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Mavericks
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This is probably far-fetched, but why not take a shot at Rajon Rondo? If Dragic does leave, then Miami is in desperate need of a point guard and Rondo is the defensive, assist-slinging player the Heat need. I might be crazy, but anything is possible.

2.) Trade The Lottery Pick

Karl Anthony-Towns Kentucky
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2.) Trade the Lottery Pick

Karl Anthony-Towns Kentucky
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Miami has a top-10 protected draft pick this year, but it has to be 10th or higher, otherwise the Philadelphia 76ers receive that pick. There is a 90 percent chance that the Heat retain the pick and that could be a huge trade piece. There aren't many appealing players other than Chalmers, but when paired with a lottery pick, people begin to listen. The Heat want to win now, even if it means sacrificing the future.

1.) Bring in Jermaine O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal NBA
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1.) Bring in Jermaine O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal NBA
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The rumors surrounding Jermaine O'Neal and a comeback were fierce late in the season, but the center did not feel fit to return. That doesn't mean he won't return next year and chases that elusive title. This is another big man who Miami could land dirt cheap and be of value to the team and Whiteside. Whether it is O'Neal, Chandler or Stoudemire, the Heat would be foolish to not pick up a veteran big man.

Shane Phillips is a Miami Heat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

Shane Phillips is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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