Miami Heat have decisions to make about upcoming free agents
By Simon Smith
Wille Reed, C
Age: 26
2016-17: 5.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 56.0 FG%, 14.5 MPG
2016-17 contract: $1,015,696
Prior to his arrival in Miami this season, Reed had played a grand total of 39 NBA games, which was last season with the Brooklyn Nets. Hence, his contributions this season have been a pleasant surprise. With terrific agility for a player at 6-foot-11, Reed has demonstrated the ability to defend on the low block while also handling the stretch-type centers who like to head out onto the perimeter.
In the absence of starting center Hassan Whiteside, White has made five starts, averaging 14.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.6 BPG in 28.5 MPG. Below are highlights of his career high from earlier this season:
Some comparable back-up centers who signed deals this past off-season are the following:
Festus Ezeli, Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 27
Contract: Two-years, $16 million
Although oft-injured, Ezeli was a key contributor to the Golden State Warriors making consecutive trips to the NBA finals. And unfortunately for the Blazers, he has carried those injury woes with him as he has been ruled out for the current season without having stepped on the court. Like Reed, he is awn athletic rim-protector who can finish strongly inside on the offensive end
Boban Marjanovic, Detroit Pistons
Age: 27
Contract: Three-years, $21 million
Despite just one season of NBA experience consisting of 9.4 MPG, Marjanovic was targeted by Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy to back up their incumbent center Andre Drummond. But Marjanovic has been seldom used, averaging just 6.5 MPG in 28 appearances.
Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic
Age: 24
Contract: Four-years, $70 million
This is the most extreme case for a player such as Reed, where a backup center receives a $70 million contract. A career backup, Biyombo’s value rose as a result of his increased playing time and production during the 2016 playoffs.
Ian Mahimni, Washington Wizards
Age: 30
Contract: Four-years, $64 million
Mahimni is yet another backup who cashed in mightily this past offseason. With career numbers of 5.1 PPG and 4.3 RPG, Mahimni has played in just 20 games this season in his customary backup role.