Miami Heat seeks center, eyes Samuel Dalembert

One of the Heat?s top offseason priorities will be adding a veteran center, and Miami has strong interest in Sacramento free agent Samuel Dalembert. But even if the midlevel exception remains part of the new labor deal (which is undetermined), the Heat knows other teams can offer Dalembert more and would not be surprised if he signs elsewhere.
If the midlevel survives, and if it?s close to this year?s $5.8 million, that would give the Heat a better chance to find a decent center who could lessen the reliance on Joel Anthony (who?s better as a backup) and represent an upgrade over Zydrunas Ilgauskas (considering retirement), Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire. And remember, Chris Bosh will continue to log significant minutes at center when Udonis Haslem is in the game.
But if the midlevel shrinks to $2 million or so or is eliminated, that would limit Miami?s options and make Dalembert highly unlikely here. The Heat will be over the cap and can sign players only to the league minimum (topping out at $1.4 million) or the two exceptions (the mid-level and the $2.2 million biannual one) if they are part of the new deal.
Among centers, potential unrestricted free agents Tyson Chandler, Nene (player option) and Glen Davis (more of a forward) would be out of Miami?s price range, as would restricted free agents Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan.
Free agent Yao Ming said he?s not sure he will be able to return from a serious ankle injury. Portland has suggested it likely will extend an $8.8 million qualifying offer to Greg Oden, making him a restricted free agent. But that?s not definite.
If Miami cannot persuade Dalembert to take less to sign here, other options include Kwame Brown (7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds for Charlotte), Nazr Mohammed (7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 52.2 percent shooting for Charlotte and Oklahoma City) and Boston?s skilled-shooting Troy Murphy, who probably is better suited for forward.
There?s also Joel Pryzbilla (a solid defender who has played in just 66 games the past two years because of knee injuries) and Kurt Thomas, 38, who played well for Chicago. The rest of the unrestricted free agent center list features journeymen and retreads: Jason Collins, Tony Battie, Etan Thomas, D.J. Mbenga, Jeff Foster, Francisco Elson and Hilton Armstrong.
Don?t rule out Eddy Curry if he gets in better condition. The Heat thought he was clearly out of shape when Miami auditioned him in April.
As for Dalembert, the Heat will have competition from the Knicks, the Kings and several others. The 6-11 Dalembert ? who averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 24 minutes per game this season ? expressed strong interest in the Heat during a March visit to Miami. But he was vague at a Heat playoff game last month.
?I haven?t given it thought,? he said of his plans. But the Heat meets at least two of his criteria: ?I want to play for a team that can win a championship. And a team that can run the fast break. Miami has a good one.?
Dalembert, 30, likely will get offers higher than the value of the midlevel. Would he consider taking less money from the Heat?
?We?ll see,? he said, adding he would ?like to be in a place that appreciates me.? Dalembert has a home in Boca Raton and that could work in the Heat?s favor, but only if Miami can make a competitive offer. He has traveled with the Heat on earthquake relief missions to Haiti.

 

ronoranina

Fundamentally Sound
Awwhhh shet.. :barf:

This is one reason why having a big three is good idea.

It's enticing to guys like Dalembert. Miami's only a player or two away.

If they snare him away from us it makes our situation all the more dire.
 
Seriously. You're Dalembert? Who are you signing with? MOA? Who has never utilized a C in his life except for Shaq Daddy. Or, Spoelstra? Who has given playing time to centers worst than the Knicks have on their roster right now. I asked a similar question months ago.

Unlike some, I dont see rosters as a priority for these types of players. I see usage. Playing time becoming more of an issue.

Just another obvious hindrance we have to deal with by having MOA as our coach...
 
If Dalembert signs for the Heat he's stupid.

- He can earn more money elsewhere
- Championships are not guaranteed in Miami
- Why join a team 99% of America and 95% of the World hates?
- Why joining a team that might implode soon (not likely, but not impossible)
- Why joining a team that might be coached by Pat Riley soon? (Practice, practice, practice and then: some more practice)

I'd join the Knicks if I was Dalembert, a native french speaker here in Ronny T, a head coach who wants to be your buddy, a talented roster and most importantly not all the hate in the world aimed towards you :thumbsup:
 

LJ4ptplay

Starter
If Dalembert signs for the Heat he's stupid.

- He can earn more money elsewhere
- Championships are not guaranteed in Miami
- Why join a team 99% of America and 95% of the World hates?
- Why joining a team that might implode soon (not likely, but not impossible)
- Why joining a team that might be coached by Pat Riley soon? (Practice, practice, practice and then: some more practice)

I'd join the Knicks if I was Dalembert, a native french speaker here in Ronny T, a head coach who wants to be your buddy, a talented roster and most importantly not all the hate in the world aimed towards you :thumbsup:

This is a legitimate question and one I have wondered about myself. Do players care if they go to the most hated team in sports? Or do they just care about winning (or money)?

If so, this could work to our advantage.

If not, Miami, and to a lesser extant Chicago, are always going to be a step ahead of us in talent and depth. Why would a player choose the Knicks (swept in the first round and with no depth) over the Heat (2 games away from a championship) or Chicago (league MVP and in Conference Finals)?
 
This is a legitimate question and one I have wondered about myself. Do players care if they go to the most hated team in sports? Or do they just care about winning (or money)?

If so, this could work to our advantage.

If not, Miami, and to a lesser extant Chicago, are always going to be a step ahead of us in talent and depth. Why would a player choose the Knicks (swept in the first round and with no depth) over the Heat (2 games away from a championship) or Chicago (league MVP and in Conference Finals)?
Chicago can't afford Dalembert and plus they need to resign D-rose after next season which I have no idea how their going to be able to.
 

LJ4ptplay

Starter
Chicago can't afford Dalembert and plus they need to resign D-rose after next season which I have no idea how their going to be able to.

Chicago and Miami can afford as much as we can afford this summer. All 3 teams are over the cap. Chicago doesn't need Dalembert so they won't be competition with us for him, but they need a SG, as do we, and they have just as much to spend. So which team would a vet SG, or MLE worth SG take? Chicago or NY? Same goes for Dalembert. Full MLE, which team does he take? Miami or NY?

Teams can go over the cap to sign their own players. Chicago does not have any problems resigning D-Rose.
 
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moneyg

Starter
Chicago and Miami can afford as much as we can afford this summer. All 3 teams are over the cap. Chicago doesn't need Dalembert so they won't be competition with us for him, but they need a SG, as do we, and they have just as much to spend. So which team would a vet SG, or MLE worth SG take? Chicago or NY? Same goes for Dalembert. Full MLE, which team does he take? Miami or NY?

Teams can go over the cap to sign their own players. Chicago does not have any problems resigning D-Rose.


true.. ...if i was him..... i'd sign with mia for the full MLE...he got a home there... large hatian community...warm weather.. i think we better x him out
 
If he wants to compete for a chip, it might be a smart move on his part. I have no hate for MIA, I just don't like them because they are rivals. If he goes there they are that much closer to earning a ring. For the Knicks...the price tag might be a issue, especially for someone like D'Ant...who will not use him properly.
 
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