NBA Rumors: The signing that Miami Heat has prepared

The Miami Heat face the new season with a short lineup in interior positions. Bam Adebayo, a player of All-NBA caliber, can play both power forward and center, but has requested to play more minutes at the four position during the regular season to avoid the wear and tear of constantly facing bigger centers.

Behind him, the rotation at the five spot is filled by the promising sophomore Kel’el Ware and the two-way contract player Vlad Goldin. The team will also give minutes to Nikola Jovic and Keshad Johnson, although both are better suited to play the four rather than the five.

NBA Rumors: Faced with this situation, as reported by Ira Winderman in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the team from Florida has reached out to an old acquaintance: Precious Achiuwa. The big man was traded in the summer of 2021 along with Goran Dragic to the Toronto Raptors, in the deal that brought Kyle Lowry to Miami. After a stint in Canada, Achiuwa landed with the New York Knicks, who ultimately chose not to retain him and let him go as a free agent this summer.

In his last season with the Knicks, Achiuwa performed well as a rotation player, averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game with a 50.2% field goal shooting. He had more playing time early in the season but lost minutes in the rotation with the return of Mitchell Robinson, as the starting center reestablished himself as the defensive anchor.

Conversations with Other Centers

The Miami Heat have also held discussions with another former player, center Thomas Bryant, who played for the Indiana Pacers last season and remains a free agent.

They have a roster spot available, but the financial situation is a hurdle: they are just $1.8 million below the luxury tax line, an insufficient amount to sign a veteran for the minimum salary. The franchise does not want to exceed that limit with the current team setup, so any addition would require a prior move.

One option being considered is negotiating the departure of Terry Rozier, whom they tried to trade during the summer. His contract guarantees $24.9 out of the $26.6 million he is owed and could be waived until January 10. It all depends on how interested the Miami Heat are in adding Achiuwa, Bryant, or another player before the start of the season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: El fichaje que tiene preparado Miami Heat