As a small ball center, Jordan Mickey could lead the Miami Heat to a Whiteside-less era.
A month and change before the Miami Heat’s 2017 summer camp, Jordan Mickey joined the team’s ranks. Hailing from the Boston Celtics’ G-League affiliate Maine Red Claws, his signing was a quiet off-season move before Miami’s eventual playoff run.
In August 2017, little analysis surrounded Mickey’s arrival. Standing six-foot-eight, Mickey’s seven-foot-two wingspan is beguiling, elongating his frame like an organic slinky.
Though he played 41 games for the Celtics between 2015 and 2017, Mickey’s resume was minimal. Much of his time spent in the big league was left to garbage time, providing an unrealistic sample of his potential contributions.
So, when news broke of his signing, it was appropriate to think little would come of it. Although he signed a two-year deal with the first guaranteed, Miami’s pecking order had at least 12 names ahead of him, not limited to Josh Richardson, Justise Winlsow, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson.
Even worse was that the Heat’s front court, which was an off-season priority, had a lengthy role call. Entering the 2017 season, Hassan Whiteside was the guaranteed starting center, supported by Kelly Olynyk and Okaro White.
But with injuries eviscerating head coach Erik Spoelstra’s lineups all season long, Mickey earned minutes. When Whiteside went down after his first game with a bone bruise, Mickey’s garbage time became prime time.
Following his best season in his three-year career, Mickey provides flexibility to a team weighed down by Whiteside and Johnson’s mammoth contracts. Though a team option stands in the way of Mickey’s return for 2018-19, it stands to reason it’s in Miami’s best interest to pick it up.
Roster under construction
While Mickey stands a full head shorter than Whiteside, he’s in position to make Miami’s starting center expendable. Mickey’s young 23-year-old legs allow him to recover from missed blocks with a quickness reminiscent of Whiteside in his Miami infancy.
Though his wingspan makes him an interior threat, Mickey’s defense doesn’t end there. Wielding a more compact frame than Whiteside expands Miami’s defensive profile. Last season, Mickey squared off against players ranging from Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins to Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mario Hezonja per NBA.com’s tracking data.
Power forward is certainly Mickey’s natural position, but with Miami’s help he could develop into a decent wing defender who could allow Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo to play to their defensive strengths. Olynyk’s frame can wall out the opposition while Adebayo can build upon his gravity defying antics.
With any luck, Miami can also develop his offense beyond that of a traditional center or forward. Mickey’s smaller size should invite the opportunity to develop his post moves since shooting over the defense is less of an option.
Additionally, lacking sheepishness around the arc, Mickey could also develop a reliable 3-point shot. Though he only hit 2-for-16 over the season’s course, his release is reliable, void of any noticeable hitches or idiosyncrasies.
Most important of all, Mickey can stand as Miami’s next project. Over the last decade, Miami has built a reputation hit-or-miss centers. Before Whiteside’s revolution, Joel Anthony, Earl Barron and Dexter Pittman all had a shot at being Miami’s next big thing.
Next: Miami Heat: Spoelstra prepares for an improved Kelly Olynyk next season
Following Miami’s course of player development, the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees. Just as Whiteside’s future hangs in the balance, Mickey’s has a chance to rejoin a Heat squad still searching for an identity.