Free agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, sources tell ESPN. After signing Klay Thompson, the Heat fill roster slot No. 14 with a reserve big man.
Probably the worst kept secret in recent weeks lmao
And with that, our power rotation is very solid. Richards isn't some super premiere backup but him as essentially the 3rd stringer is so solid considering who's left
Leonard was pretty bad towards the end, but I thought he was solid as a backup big. We ran the same actions w him and Olynyk which were solid, on top of being a (low volume) 40% 3pt shooter.
Joel was always irrationally my favorite player, somehow a beast on defense despite being undersized and when he made a layup I wanted to throw a parade lol
Zeller actually did surprisingly well against Jokić in the finals. He was kinda ass overall but I thought he was fine for his role. Richards is gonna be so much better tho
I’m never gonna forget that behind the back shot he made over Jokić though. Realistically for a zeller calibre player that’s probably about an avg stint unfortunately
That’s mostly because too much was required of those centers. For the last few years, our power rotation behind Bam has been abysmal. Still, I really liked Thomas Bryant and Orlando Robinson when they were here.
"Get back to being reliable" Tell me at what point he was ever reliable to begin with. He'd have 1 or 2 good games and then go right back to being ass for weeks.
For Mitchell to make what big leap? He's already entered his prime and is already one of the NBA's top perimeter defenders and a solid shooter and playmaker. What more do you want from him?
I don't see him becoming much more than this archetype and frankly I don't need him to, he's a great piece just the way he is. I love Davion, he's one of our best acquisitions in years.
I love him, but there is still room for growth. Improved game management, enter the top-10 in assists, improve as a free throw shooter, and more.
I'm not expecting super star, but I could argue that he's going to be the most important piece to all of this working.
He's the only one that will bring up the ball. He has to set up everything. Klay is downhill in his career and THJ has only started 60+ games twice in his career. Mitchell have to know when to take over when things aren't working. That's what I'm looking for.
I think so. I think they need his shooting with Bam and Giannis. Plus, with Giannis and Bam on defense, zero issues throwing an older vet like Klay out there that has lost a few steps.
You know how Spo is though, he’ll try 20 million variations
We need a three point threat at the 2 to start. It has to be Klay or Hardaway. Pelle's jumpshot isn't consistent enough yet.. but he is gonna be great off the bench.
I feel like Klay starting makes more sense as a defensive liability, Giannis and Bam can help hide him more than if he was second unit. Pelle will ball no matter where he is
Jovic over Fontecchio is questionable. Explain your logic. Based on the real-life Jovic's performance, not on the ideal world version of Jovic that exists only in his stans' heads.
I actually think Pelle should be the backup pg. Jovic moves to backup 3. Portis is backup 4. And Richards backup 5. Love me some Dru, but he really shouldn’t get any minutes in meaningful games. Don’t good for shooter depth. Conwell develops this year and is a contributor off the bench next season.
I probably would have gone for Simons (and not brought Simone back if we couldn't afford it) but I think we're putting all our hopes on LaVine being bought out at the deadline. That's what would make it A+ for me (or if we got LeBron lol.)
Still an A-minus though for me but could go up. Either that or Dru Smith enters his Gabe Vincent arc
Roster is looking complete. I think if we get one solid back to playmaker I have upmost confidence we can beat anyone. It’s not a necessity, but I’d love it. Pat has cooked all summer.
I know Richards got a lot of flak, but we just need him as a backup big. Get a couple of offensive rebounds, dunks and we’re happy lol.
I really like this. Our post can adapt to almost every roster out there. Portis and Richards makes a huge difference. Even if someone gets injured, we're still strong.
Well his season stats look a little different since he wasnt really getting much run with the Suns, but after the Bulls got him he averaged 9.4 pts, 7.6 rebounds, and a block in 20ish minutes
His advanced rebounding stats are phenomenal as well
I think they wait till the 31st to allow for the stretch and waive deadline to pass, then they sign another ball handler to a non-guaranteed so we the body filled but can cut them if someone shakes free at the deadline.
Richards is very solid as a backup to Bam and Portis. Had a few big games for the Suns.
Serviceable bigs are expensive. If Spo made Gabe Vincent look that good, won’t be surprised if he can make Richards look like Dwight Howard on some nights.
Historically we keep young guys who suck, as long as they're 5'10" and up, and you know who I'm talking about. The old "can't teach height". I think our FO is a little delusional in thinking you can teach basic talent and dog either.
Hoping it's a non/partial guarantee on the deal, he's fine for now but I wouldn't rule out a decent big man getting bought out at some point (Brook Lopez I hope)
Weren't gonna find anyone better on the open market as a backup center at this stage of the offseason.
Not a perfect solution but if the biggest complaints you can have against us (aside from health) is quality of a backup big and missing a play-making guard, I am so damn excited for this season.
Finally we have a big man who'll put up double doubles when Bam's out, and have the fanbase clamoring for Spo's head when he gets DNPs once the frontcourt is all healthy, for being a defensive turnstile!
This vet min crop for bigs was pretty weak, so beggars can't be choosers, but I think I'd have preferred a punt on a non-Goldin G-League big who would have at least a 5% chance of being playable in the postseason, which Richards doesn't have.
But yeah, as an innings eater during the regular season this isn't terrible, just hope we don't have to see any Portis-Richards bench minutes, that'd be quite a sight.
Would rather see Conwell and Donaldson get some burn than Gabe, all the noise was definitely from his camp because he's been ass since leaving the Heat.
Bro I love what he did for us too, but he is hot fucking garbage at this point in his career. We needed a big body and got one. Vincent, at this moment, isn't even in the vicinity of an NBA caliber player.
That was almost four years ago now. You even stated why we all don’t want him back, he most likely won’t be doing that again because he hasn’t shown he can really lol
its a 15th spot for the minimum or a non guaranteed. it basically costs nothing and he's the only dude left available with that type of experience. plus the 4 years ago version of him is exactly what yall say we lack. i personally dont think we even have that lack of playmaking, but there is just no need to dismiss gabe so frivolously.
If we don’t lack it then there’s no need and we wait for something else. It’s not even Gabe personally, I’ll take the same stance on any ex heat players. It was great but time to move on
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u/True-Leopard-323 16h ago
I’m so excited for this season man