Miami Heat President Pat Riley has wasted no time since luring Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to South Beach; since that time, he traded Michael Beasley for two second round picks, re-signed Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony, brought in Mike Miller and signed 2010 second round draft pick Dexter Pittman. Today, Zydrunas Ilgauskas officially signed a two-year deal at the veteran's minimum with the Heat. The second year is a player option, and this contract could be the last deal of Ilgauskas' career.

Riley is far from done, though; he plans to sign Juwan Howard in the coming days. Moreover, Riley's loyalty to the 2009-10 Heat team may extend beyond Wade, Haslem and Anthony. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman reported that Carlos Arroyo and Jamaal Magloire are closing in on contracts with Miami. Arroyo will likely fill in the starting point guard role for the team while Magloire will bolster the Heat's center rotation.

As much as I like Arroyo, I don't see him fitting with his team. While Heat coach Erik Spoelstra shuffled through Mario Chalmers and Rafer Alston last year, Arroyo emerged as the starting point guard for the team. He directed the offense well, developed chemistry with Wade and was a reliable jump-shooter from mid-range. Unfortunately, his defensive liabilities were exposed against Rajon Rondo in Miami's first round match-up against the Boston Celtics.

In addition to the Heat, I see the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls as the cream of the Eastern Conference's crop. Boston has Rondo, Orlando has Jameer Nelson and Chicago has Derrick Rose; all are young point guards who have each made at least one All-Star team. Arroyo is not much of a defender, and Spoelstra may have to play James or Wade on the speedy point guards for a playoff series. Moreover, if Spoelstra starts game with a traditional lineup of Arroyo, Wade, James, Bosh and Anthony, no three-point shooter exists. I would have preferred for Riley to sign Keyon Dooling or Earl Watson, both of whom can defend and hit three-point shots.

Magloire is a good addition to the team, however. Although he is not the All-Star player he was in 2004, he provides plenty of toughness and rebounding in the middle, as he is one of the most hard-nosed players in the NBA. He also could mentor and guide Pittman into a good rebounder and low-post scorer. More broadly, it is important to carry significant bulk in the middle because the Los Angeles Lakers' size could stand in Miami's way.

With the expected signings of Magloire, Arroyo and Howard, the Heat's roster would consist of Arroyo and Chalmers at the point, Wade and Miller at the two, James and Miller at the three, Bosh, Haslem and Howard at the four and Anthony, Ilgauskas, Magloire and Pittman at the five. That's 12 players (I expect Miller to play minutes at the two and the three), three short of the League maximum.

Clearly, Miami needs some help on the perimeter. We could see 2009 second round pick Pat Beverley make the team as a point guard, as he made a strong showing defensively last night in a 78-58 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It may also be wise for Riley to keep and develop Da'Sean Butler considering that although each member of the Miami Thrice has not celebrated his 30th birthday yet, Miller and Haslem are 30 and Ilgauskas is 35. For the final roster spot, Riley could invite Jon Scheyer to training camp, sign a past-his-prime swingman like Jerry Stackhouse or ink a deal with James Jones or Rasual Butler, both of whom are former Heat sharpshooters.

Just eight days ago, James announced that he would join Miami. It is amazing to think how quickly this solid supporting cast has formed. The key was that James, Wade and Bosh each took less-than-maximum deals to accomodate the signings of Miller and Haslem, two key role players. Riley has effectively silenced all the critics who said that this team wouldn't have a supporting cast; the Miami Heat will be a championship contender once more.

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