For the last several weeks, many Miami Heat fans — as well as the organization — have been waiting for the Klay Thompson shoe to drop. The veteran sharpshooter is entering the final year of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks, but Dallas is hoping to find a trade partner instead of buying him out, where the Heat would be among the most interested.
The problem with the Heat acquiring him via trade is they only have one player — Nikola Jovic — who could match salary to execute him. Plus, it would mean selling low on perhaps their last “available” asset for a 36-year-old player on his last legs (figuratively and literally).
As that saga continues, a new mystery target has emerged: Free agent center Nick Richards.
In a recent Instagram video posted by Heat guard Davion Mitchell, Richards was seen working out with the Heat in their facility in full team gear. He’s been seen in multiple runs with the soon-to-be 28-year-old guard this offseason. But this specific instance drew the curiousity of many online, who put on their tinfoil hats as the dog days of summer loom.
Nick Richards’ skillset and fit with Heat:
Richards, 28, became a free agent this summer, last playing with the Chicago Bulls, who acquired him from the Phoenix Suns ahead of the trade deadline.
In 20 games (four starts) with Chicago, he averaged 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks on 57.7 percent true shooting. On a per-75-possession basis, his numbers equal out to 14.7 points and 11.9 rebounds — which are encouraging, albeit over a small sample.
Miami lacks frontcourt size behind Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bobby Portis is an OK option, but he’s more of a (4/5) tweener than a true backup 5. Richards, listed at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach, is arguably the best available option to fill that need.
The six-year veteran is a solid screener, rim-runner and vertical spacer. He’s also an above-average rebounder, as his 19.8 rebound percentage and 12.6 offensive rebound percentage over the last two seasons rank in the 75th and 67th percentile, respectively, of all big men taller than 6-foot-9 (min. 1750 MIN).
Richards is also a respectable shot-blocker, but has a tendency to get caught out of position defensively. Still, he would be a quality insurance option as the Heat round out the rest of their roster.
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He would very likely be a useful addition.
Sign him
Wiggins at 8’11” standing reach and Jovic 6’11” tall, 9’0.5″ standing reach at the 3/SF is a big change from Jaquez 8’3.5″ and Larsson 8’6″ last year. Trying to think what frontcourts would be bigger 3-5, can’t be that many
New? I had him on the list and have brought him up multiple times, especially after Riley’s comments.
I think we need another big body to occasionally bang with some of the guys around the league and minimize some wear and tear on Bam and Giannis.
Sign that mother up.
He’d be a nice piece. Still if they are really putting their eggs in the Klay basket, I doubt anything happens quickly.
Agree but all these guys seem to know what’s going on and are not in a rush. DeRozan, Brown, Richards etc.
Another bird in the hand. Oh, wait, I forgot. Klay is coming. No money.
The offensive plan looks to be just drive to the lane, slam dunk or draw the foul. Limited perimeter players. Taking the game back to the early 2000’s
Sign him up