Miami Heat: Getting Familiar With Latest Acquisition, Nemanja Bjelica

Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Sacramento Kings’ Nemanja Bjelica, left, attempts a three-pointer against Brooklyn Nets’ Garrett Temple #17(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)

For several months, the Miami Heat were in need of roster changes before the 2021 NBA trade deadline. Miami Heat President, Pat Riley, successfully acquired solid assets to likely propel towards another postseason run for the Heat.

In exchange for Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and swapping rights on 2022 draft picks, the Heat acquired former All-Star guard, Victor Oladipo, from the Houston Rockets, who is considered a potential top scoring option to compliment Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. In their second trade of Thursday’s deadline, the Heat remained active by sending away reserves Maurice Harkless and Chris Silva, while acquiring big man, Nemanja Bjelica, from the Sacramento Kings.

A 6’10” sharpshooting big from Belgrade Serbia, Bjelica will provide an offensive approach similar to Olynyk’s — adequate floor-spacing, as well as rebounding and facilitating capabilities at the pivot. He should be a welcomed additions and especially in light of Kelly Olynyk being sent off.

Also, as the Miami Heat need someone capable of hitting big shots when things aren’t going well or perhaps an unexpected option in a pinch, he can fill that role too. Who could forget his incredible game-winning buzzer beater three to defeat the Rockets, 118-116, in December of 2019.

Those are just a few bullets on the guy, but there’s more. Let’s get into it.