Miami Heat Roster & Trade Updates: What Miami Needs to Remain a Contender for the 2014-15 Season

After four straight NBA Finals appearances, the Miami Heat are not allowed to just shoot for mediocrity.

Free agency has seen the Heat sign Luol Deng, Chris McRoberts and veteran Danny Granger. While these pieces will help Miami be 'competitive,' it is not enough to be labeled as a viable source of Eastern Conference power.

With most of the big fish already caught by other teams, Miami needs to look for the remaining underrated free agency players.

Eric Bledsoe recently rejected a 4-year, $48 million deal from the Phoenix Suns. Bledsoe was shooting for a max contract, which in the current market seems a bit unlikely.

Bledsoe would be a perfect fit for the Miami Heat and their fans, who are sick and tired of Mario Chalmers and his on-and-off play. Bledsoe does carry a high price tag, but his electric playing style is well worth the cost.

Greg Monroe is still on the market as a dominant big man, but it's unknown how he would fit into the Heat rotation.

Monroe is more of a traditional power forward than Bosh, who excels at spreading the floor with his three-ball shooting. Monroe would be a key addition for the Heat to start rebounding the ball, which has always acted as their Achilles heal.

Like Bledsoe, Monroe might come with too high a price tag for Miami to cope with.

Even if the Miami Heat are unable to sign a top free agent, what they can do is work to strengthen their bench in an attempt to play more as a team. The 'Big Three' is gone, and Luol Deng with an aging Wade is not strong enough to maintain their offensive dependence on a few stars.

The Heat may not need to rebuild, but they definitely need to retool with a higher grade of roleplayers.

As of now the Heat look to be a playoff team, but there aren't many gamblers who are picking them to make it deep in the playoffs. Something needs to be shaken up in order for the Miami Heat to change their fortunes.