NBA Rumors: Miami Heat eyeing Channing Frye, Emeka Okafor
The Miami Heat tried to make a few minor moves that they hoped would pay off last year, signing center Greg Oden and forward Michael Beasley.
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However, neither player gave the Heat much of anything during the season and were even less effective during the postseason. The Heat will likely take a similar, small-risk chance this offseason.
Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders believes Milwaukee Bucks’ big man Ekpe Udoh, Phoenix Suns’ center Channing Frye and Phoenix Suns’ big man Emeka Okafor could be good fits with the Heat.
"Finding a useful big man is harder. Ekpe Udoh could be an option as a restricted free agent, a mobile big who could execute Miami’s traps well and has usually played better than his box score stats. Channing Frye or Emeka Okafor (if healthy) could be other frontcourt options. But frankly, there is not a ton out there. If Miami could figure out a way to acquire Carmelo while staying over the cap, that would be the best option, but otherwise they are going to have major problems on D because of the inability to get anyone else."
Udoh averaged 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 63.8% from the free throw line last season. He could likely be had at a reasonable price. Frye went for 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 43.2% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 82.1% from the free throw line. Okafor missed the entire season, but played in the entire 2012-20143 season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 57.1% from the free throw line.