8 High-ceiling reclamation projects Miami Heat could target

Mar 13, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) reacts to scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) reacts to scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Miami Heat
Houston Rockets center Christian Wood (35, right) handles the ball while Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker (17) defends( Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports)

Christian Wood, unrestricted free agent

When the Dallas Mavericks acquired Christian Wood from the Houston Rockets last offseason, the belief was that he would be a good fit next to Luka Doncic and help the team make another deep playoff run. The fit didn’t end up working and now Wood is an unrestricted free agent that the Mavs aren’t expected to re-sign or even show much interest in re-signing. Whether that says more about Wood or the Mavs remains to be seen.

However, it’s hard to deny that Wood’s reputation around the league certainly took a hit. It didn’t help that Wood struggled mightily over the last two and a half months of the season. From February to the end of the season, Wood averaged just 13 points per game in 21 minutes per contest. It was clear that the Mavs had soured on Wood by the end of the season.

Maybe the Heat is a team that can help him get back to being that 20-point, 10-rebound player he broke out as during his first season in Houston. Theoretically, with his skill set, Wood should be a natural fit next to Bam Adebayo. The big question is whether or not he can be good enough on the defensive end of the floor. His best chance of that may very well be on the Heat.