With the buyout market starting to heat up, we look at one player the Miami Heat could take a flyer on, Jared Sullinger.
The Toronto Raptors made news during last week’s trade deadline by acquiring Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker. Both defensive-minded players were solid additions, who will help Toronto challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
As part of their trade for Tucker, the Raptors gave up on offseason investment Jared Sullinger. Sullinger signed with Toronto in July, on a one-year $6 million deal. However, due to a recurring foot injury, he didn’t contribute much this season, which made him an expendable asset.
Thus, they dealt him to the Phoenix Suns, along with two second-round picks to get Tucker. (For those asking why second-round picks matter, that’s why.)
The Suns then waived Sullinger, freeing him to sign with any team once he clears waivers. Considering no one will want to pick him up at his current contract’s worth, it’s almost certain he will.
Fans of the Miami Heat probably remember Sullinger from his time with the Boston Celtics, as he suited up for the storied franchise 258 times over four years, starting in 2012-’13. Boston made the playoffs twice in that span.
Because Sullinger’s primary position is power forward, he makes some sense for the Heat. Luke Babbitt’s been excellent recently to be sure, but there’s only so much he can do. He’s a poor defender, playing an average of 15.6 minutes nightly.
Miami is one game out the 8th-seed in the East, and they’re going to need more out of the 4-spot if they plan on making noise if (once?) they make it. Could Sullinger be the right guy for the job?
Pros of signing Sullinger
Sullinger has experience playing on pretty good teams, which is part of what makes him enticing. He’s been in the playoffs twice, though Boston lost in the first round both times, winning just two games in the process.
In 2014-15, Sullinger came off the bench in their first-round series against Cleveland. He played 20 minutes per game, and performed admirably against LeBron James and the second-best team in basketball. The power forward averaged 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 three-pointers on 55.3 percent shooting from the floor.
In Game 4, Boston’s last game of the season, Sullinger went off. He dropped 21 points and 11 boards on the eventual Eastern Conference Champion.
Sullinger is a player with flaws, which we’ll get to in a bit, but he does possess some ability as a scorer and rebounder. He’s got a solid back-to-the-basket game, and began to extend his range to the three-point line later during his tenure with the Celtics.
He could be an intriguing option for Pat Riley and company, but it’s also possible they believe his downside negates the potential he may have.
…And the cons
Sullinger’s injury history is vast. Coming out of college, there were major concerns about his back. Despite it never amounting to much, he has had a plethora of other issues to worry about as a professional.
Last season, he participated in 81 games, the most, by far, of his career. Aside from that year, he’s played in 74 games (2013-’14), 58 (2014-’15) and 45 (his rookie year). This season has been his worst, as he missed the first 41 games of the year with the aforementioned foot issue.
It appears he’s finally healthy again, but it’s telling that Toronto had no problem dealing him away regardless.
Health notwithstanding, Sullinger is a poor defender (lacks athleticism to defend the basket, along with the quickness to guard face-up 4’s) and not much of an outside threat (career 27.2 percent three-point shooter). On a contender, he’s probably viewed as an okay option off the bench, if that.
Final thoughts
It’s my belief that there are better buyout options out there. Versatile power forward Terrence Jones has cleared waivers, and would make a fine addition to Miami’s starting 5. (Imagine having the option to bring Babbitt off the bench, and play him for longer stretches when he’s hot.)
Jones probably sees what the Heat have done in revitalizing James Johnson and Dion Waiters, in the process making them much more valuable as free agents this summer. Why not sign with Miami, earn a starting job, help the team make the playoffs, and garner a big payday once he’s a free agent again in July?
One issue in a Jones signing is that the Heat have to wait until Mar. 1 to release Bosh. Without his removal, there isn’t a roster spot available for anyone. The next two days are vitally important.
If not Jones, there’s also the recently-bought-out Luis Scola (old, but a very skilled player), former Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott and even rumors of Derrick Rose getting set to hit the market.
Or, maybe, Pat Riley decides Sullinger is his guy. We won’t have to wait long to find out.