The Miami Heat could go in a bunch of different directions this offseason in terms of what free agents they target. In addition, there’s a wide range of options that should be available to them.
While a point guard may not necessarily be the top priority, additional depth at the position is always nice. If Kendrick Nunn and/or Goran Dragic end up leaving, it could also be super helpful.
Shooting guards and small forwards always help since having good wing depth is crucial. The Miami Heat should obviously look to re-sign Duncan Robinson, but past that, signing backup wings could help with rotational depth.
The power forward position is one that could use some help. Once Kelly Olynyk got traded, there was no one who could replace his production.
Out of all the different areas where the Miami Heat should look to add depth, a center should be towards the top of the list. After Bam Adebayo, the depth chart looks shockingly bare.
Dewayne Dedmon played super well last season for the Heat, but he’ll be a free agent. This means the team will have to sign a new backup center to backup Adebayo.
Luckily for them, there are some solid options that will be free agents this summer. It all depends on what kind of center the team is looking for.
Should they bring in a big man that can stretch the floor? Or should it be a solid defender who can bring some intensity to the second unit?
There are plenty of centers the Miami Heat could sign this summer, but out of all of them, who are the top options?
Why not consider bringing back a familiar face? DeWayne Dedmon played great for the Miami Heat last season.
Dewayne Dedmon played super well during his time with the Miami Heat last season. If they have the opportunity, they should definitely look to bring him back.
He provided some great intensity and played his role to perfection. He doesn’t need big-time minutes in order to be effective.
In the 16 games Dedmon played with the Heat, he averaged 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 70.8% from the field. He managed all that in only 13.1 minutes per game.
Despite being looked at as a veteran, Dedmon is only turning 32 years old this offseason. He still has plenty of productive years left in the NBA.
The only thing that could prevent the Miami Heat from re-signing him is if another team tries to pursue him. The Heat have some cap space, but if another team throws a bigger deal at him, the team might look to sign someone cheaper.
He played so well that other teams might be willing to offer him more than a minimum deal. That’s likely the most the Miami Heat would offer him unless they wanted to sign him using the MLE.
Dedmon did exactly what the team asked of him, and Miami Heat fans grew fond of him during his time in the city. It just makes sense to try and bring him back.
Bringing in a center who can stretch the floor would definitely help out the Miami Heat. Frank Kaminsky could help create a bunch of different opportunities on the offensive side of the floor.
Frank Kaminsky would be able to help stretch the floor for the Miami Heat. Though he’s not as good at it as Kelly Olynyk was, he could still play that role for them.
He spent the last two years with the Phoenix Suns and provided them with some spot minutes behind DeAndre Ayton. He’s not a very good defender, but his ability to shoot threes makes him an enticing candidate.
Last season, Kaminsky averaged 6.6 points, four rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 47 games with the Suns. He shot 47.1% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
At 7-0 tall, he also provides the Heat with some decent size down low. He could end up thriving in a limited role behind Bam Adebayo.
Coming out of college, Kaminsky was expected to be an elite stretch big man who could help lead a team. Though he never panned out in Charlotte, he still plays his role well.
He played 15.2 minutes per game with the Suns last season, and could realistically play anywhere from 15-20 minutes with the Heat next year.
With Bam Adebayo being such an amazing defender, the Heat don’t necessarily need their backup center to be amazing on that end of the floor. Bringing in someone like Kaminsky who simply stretches the floor would be super helpful.
The Miami Heat could look to bring in a respected veteran to back up Bam Adebayo. JaVale McGee certainly fits that mold.
JaVale McGee was traded from the Cavaliers to the Nuggets midway through last year. However, he didn’t end up getting much playing time in Denver.
In the 13 games he played with the Nuggets he only averaged 13.5 minutes per game. He only played in four of their postseason games.
Despite not earning playing time, McGee has always been a very productive player. His two years with the Lakers were two of the best years of his career.
During the Lakers’ title year, he averaged 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. He only played 16.6 minutes per game.
If given a similar role as Bam Adebayo’s backup, he could be super productive for the Miami Heat. He plays solid defense, is extremely athletic, and plays his role well.
Since the Nuggets didn’t play him much, he could likely be persuaded to leave fairly easily. He may be 33 years old, but he definitely has some quality years left in the NBA.
Though he was joked about early on in his career, McGee is now a super solid backup big man. He wouldn’t cost too much to bring in, so there’s really no downside.
The Miami Heat should certainly inquire about McGee this offseason. He’d be a great veteran to help shore up their center rotation.