Miami Heat rumors: Do the Heat need a big man?
A year ago, the Miami Heat signed center Greg Oden to provide depth in the front court and many are wondering if they may do something similar this year.
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Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel doesn’t believe the Heat necessarily need another center.
"Put it this way, the Clippers are looking for a center an reportedly summoned Greg Oden and Andrew Bynum, which tells you how limited the market for centers stand. Heck, the Knicks look like they might be starting Samuel Dalembert. And even the U.S. national team has reached a point where it looks like Mason Plumlee will make the final roster. If a center within their means were available, I’m sure the Heat would have made a move. But would you rather open a game with Greg Stiemsma in the lineup and Josh McRoberts on the bench, or go with your best possible mix?"
Of course without LeBron James, who left the Heat to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat may want to make Bosh a full-time power forward again in order to better feature him in the offense so he may be their number one option, largely because of guard Dwyane Wade’s injuries. There are a few options out there besides Oden, like Bynum, Phoenix Suns’ free agent Emeka Okafor and Milwaukee Bucks’ free agent Ekpe Udoh.
In 26 total games last season, Bynum put up 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 41.8% from the field and 75.5% from the free throw line. Okafor missed the entire 2013-2014 season, but played in every game during 2012-2013 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. Udoh averaged 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 block per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 63.8% from the free throw line in 41 games. Oden appeared in 29 games for the Heat. He averaged 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game and shot 55.1% from the field and 56.5% from the free throw line.