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Five under-the-radar free agents the Miami Heat should target

By Wes Goldberg

Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) rebounds the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) rebounds the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) blocks Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) shot during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 139-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) blocks Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) shot during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 139-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dewayne Dedmon

This is probably the least-known name on this list. Dewayne Dedmon is a backup center for the Orlando Magic, and he’s set to be a free agent. Yes, that’s two ex-Magic players for those keeping score at home. Anyway so Dedmon has always been one of those guys in the league I just like.

Dedmon’s stats won’t blow you away–4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.2 minutes per game–but extrapolated for 36 minutes and we’re looking at a 13 and 12 guy. Sure, it’s not as simple as that, but it does reflect a certain effectiveness in small samples.

I don’t envision Dedmon as a replacement for Whiteside. Just a backup. Miami’s need for a second true center was evident in the second round of the playoffs after Whiteside went down with a right MCL sprain. The Heat didn’t have another bigman to turn to, while the Raptors had Bismack Biyombo when their own starting center Jonas Valanciunas was injured.

Biyombo’s had a hell of a post-season ever since, and is going to cash in this summer. Whichever teams don’t sign Biyombo will be looking for the next Biyombo. Dedmon, 26 years old and a solid 7 feet tall, is as good a bet as any free agent.

Next: Three-point shooter

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