Miami Heat Rumors: 3 Free Agents the Miami Heat could bring in ahead of the playoffs

The Miami Heat have struggled for consistency all season long. However, the team has improved since the All-Star break, and are now in a strong position to claim one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.

After winning seven out of their last ten games, the Heat currently occupies the East's final playoff spot, and the team also sits just one game back from the sixth-placed Pistons. During the second half of the season, head coach Erik Spoelstra has slowly overhauled his starting lineup, and the Heat have quickly transformed from one of the oldest teams in the league to one filled with youth.

The youth movement has worked well throughout the regular season, although the playoffs are a different beast, and the Heat still has the roster space to add a further player. So, as we approach the postseason, here are three players with playoff experience that the Heat could still add.

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#3 Alex Abrines

Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets

Alex Abrines started the 18/19 season in the best form of his career. In the early weeks of the season, the 25-year-old was contributing solid points from the Thunder bench, and after dropping a career-high 25 points against the Hornets, the Spaniard briefly broke into Billy Donovan's starting lineup. However, back in December, Abrines suddenly dropped out of the team's rotation, and by February, he and the Thunder had mutually agreed to end his contract.

Personal issues were cited as the reason for Abrines' departure, although the guard still remains eligible for the 2019 playoffs. While it is currently unknown if Abrines has made his services available to teams around the league, there is no doubting that he could offer the Heat more range from beyond the arc. The Spaniard also has recent playoff experience, last season connecting with 46% of his attempts from three-point range.

#2 Nick Young

Nick Young spent last season with the Golden State Warriors

Nick Young is a controversial figure around the NBA due to his behavior off-the-court, however, there is no doubting that he has a particular skill set that can be utilized in the playoffs. The 33-year-old guard has been a reliable three-point shooter throughout his decade-long career, and last season he performed well in a catch and shoot role with the Golden State Warriors.

After missing only two regular-season games, Young went on to feature 20-times in the playoffs, helping the Warriors to a second consecutive title. Young's career three-point percentage (38) is also better than any of the Heat's current roster, and the veteran guard could serve as a much-needed sniper during the team's potential playoff run. Young hasn't played since December, although he is believed to have kept in shape, so he should be ready to go as soon as he receives the call.

#1 Carmelo Anthony

Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers

Carmelo Anthony's much-talked-about summer move to the Houston Rockets lasted just 10 games. After a year of resistance, the veteran finally accepted a role from the bench, however, Rockets management quickly identified Melo's defensive limitations as detrimental to the team, and after winning just seven of their first 11 games of the season, Houston instructed Melo to find a new team.

Nevertheless, the former All-Star has yet to find a new home, with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers falling apart at the last minute. This leaves the 34-year-old available ahead of the playoffs, and in recent months, Melo has been linked with a move to Miami to link up with Dwyane Wade.

Evidently, Melo is no longer the offensive force that he was five years ago, although there is no doubting that he can still contribute points from the Heat's bench. Melo also has a hunger to prove his doubters wrong, and if the Heat sign the veteran to a short term deal, they will be getting a player who will give his all to win.