Five under-the-radar free agents the Miami Heat should target
By Wes Goldberg
5. Ersan Ilyasova
After seven years in Milwaukee, Ersan Ilyasova spent his last year on two teams. The Orlando Magic traded for Ilyasova at the trade deadline in part because former head coach Scott Skiles had a history with him. Now Skiles is gone and, with Ilyasova’s contract up, he could be too.
Ilyasova is one of those Hedo Turkoglu-types who can handle the ball and shoot well from the forward position. He’s a career 37 percent three-point shooter and can do some things to create for himself with the ball. You could throw a screen his way in the corner and let him maneuver it. He’s averaged double-digit points in all but one year since his rookie season, and is generally one of the lesser appreciated players in the NBA.
Ilyasova would give Miami another ball handler and knock-down shooter to help space out the offense. He has the makings of a good Goran Dragic running mate, while also creating more room in the lane for guys like Whiteside and Wade.
He has struggled to stay healthy, but if the Heat can get him at the right price he could be a steal and potential starter at power forward if Chris Bosh can’t start the season.
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