While the Miami Heat acquired guard Norman Powell at an excellent price, it continued to widen another gaping hole in the frontcourt behind Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.
Miami traded away Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love, who were fringe rotation players, at best. Though it left the Heat without a backup big. Nearly one month removed from the trade, the Heat still don’t have one — with 6-foot-10 wing Nikola Jovic currently projecting as the best option. He’s not a big.
The free agent market for big men is extremely dry, too. But could the Heat reunite with free agent center and former draftee Precious Achiuwa?!
One NBA insider predicts that will be the case.
“One team that could still use some frontcourt help this offseason is the Miami Heat,” Clutchpoints’ Brett Siegel wrote Wednesday. “Not only does this fit make sense because Achiuwa can play behind Bam Adebayo and improve his all-around game, but the former Knicks big man recently purchased a two-bedroom condo in South Beach.
“Miami has an open roster spot, and they can sign Achiuwa without crossing their first-apron hard cap.”
Does Precious Achiuwa make sense for Heat?
Siegel listed Achiuwa as the ninth-best available free agent — behind Malik Beasley, who’s currently under federal investigation for betting, Malcolm Brogdon, Russell Westbrook and Al Horford, among others.
Currently $1.6 million above the luxury tax threshold, Miami does have one roster spot available. More often than not, they have left that spot open. However, Heat president Pat Riley has been adamant about potentially avoiding the tax to avoid repeater tax penalties, which would be a wise move as currently constructed.
The Miami Heat drafted Achiuwa No. 20 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He averaged 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds before they shipped him away after his rookie season in the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade.
Last season, the 6-foot-9 big averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game on 53.0 percent true shooting. He has spent the last one-and-a-half years with the New York Knicks, who signed Guerschon Yabusele to a team-friendly deal earlier this summer.
There is a world where a reunion makes some sense.
He’s better than their current options (extremely low bar), and has some familiarity with the organization. He’s also one of the better FA bigs left on the market, which also includes Richaun Holmes, Chris Boucher, Bol Bol and Bismack Biyombo.
However, I expect the Heat to try to get under the tax before using their last roster spot to go deeper into the tax for a player of Achiuwa’s caliber.
He’s gotten better as a rebounder and is a versatile defender. However, he’s not very consistent, is a below-average shot-maker and is still not a great defender (yet). He’s your prototypical backup big, but the majority of Heat centers off the bench, in recent memory, haven’t been playable. Achiuwa’s in that tier.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
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He’s terrible. Just another stark reminder how Heat whiffed by not drafting Maxey instead.
There are two better choices listed than Precious, Holmes and Boucher bring more. But, it’s never just about the quality of the player anymore. There are always these financial considerations too.
Seems like the Heat are in another period of quietude, not too inclined to do much until perhaps closer to the start of the season. But, it seems like the team has some roster needs and moves are also necessary to get under the tax.
Hoping for the best, waiting and being patient, and keeping the faith. Go Heat!
Miami is better off waiting before filling the final roster spot. Heat may be able to pick up Vucevic if he is bought out by Chicago and trade DeRozan for Rozier (plus a sweetener e.g., Jaquez or pick). Team’s fall back position if no PF/C is available, is to play Goldin up to 50 games as a two-way player. Something should shake loose by the trade deadline.
Any way we can get him and still get under tax