Five free agent replacements for Willie Reed

4. Larry Sanders

Acquiring Sanders would be a gamble, without question. But the overall Heat culture and environment could make it a gamble worth taking.

Sanders has played sparingly over the last three seasons, primarily due to mental health issues. He did manage five appearances this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was promptly waived after the Cavaliers realised he was not close to being in game shape following such a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

At 6-foot-11 and still just 28, Sanders looked set for big things after signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks following the 2012-13 season. This came after averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. His breakout season included a 10 point, 12 rebound and 10 block triple-double.

The highlights of this performance can be seen here:

But after playing in just 50 games over the ensuing two seasons, Sanders quit the game due to his battles with mental health.

However following his break from the game, Sanders expressed his willingness and desire to return to the heat of battle in the NBA. Here’s some of his comments from an interview with David Aldridge of NBA.com prior to his comeback with the Cavaliers:

"“I miss being on a team, man. I miss going to war with my teammates and fighting against another team and giving my all out there and affecting the game. My children are getting older. I have a boy and a girl, and my son talks about it all the time now, he misses me playing….I would say I’m more mature. I’m better. I’m at a higher level. I’m a better basketball player. I’ve taken that time to establish those things and get my family in order — not to say everything’s perfect. I took the time that I needed.”"

Furthermore, it was some of his specific comments about on-court play that would be music to the ears of coach Spoelstra:

"“When I watch the game, I look at it from a defensive standpoint. Those are guys that I want to guard. I want to be able to guard that three, that stretch four. I think I’m agile enough and I feel like I’m fast enough and quick enough to guard those guys, and also the rim. Offensively, my speed is what opens the game up for other players. My hard dives to the rim, my rim runs.”"

“Defense” and “rim-runs” were essentially Reed’s greatest attributes this season with the heat. The fact that Sanders is mentioning these as his greatest strengths further illustrates why the Heat should at least give some serious thought to at least entertaining Sanders as an option.

And considering the amazing work there Heat’s conditioning staff did with Dion Waiters and James Johnson this season, Sanders could be seen as their next reclamation project.