Miami Heat sign Josh Harrellson as they continue looking for a solid centre – NBA News
Miami Heat continue to search for a solid centre player, a position that bothered them throughout the past season, and have signed former New York Knicks backup centre Josh Harrellson.
Miami now have another developing centre to try out as they look to solve a nagging issue. Harrellson, a 6 foot 10 inch centre, worked out for the Heat and the Miami coaching staff was impressed enough to sign him.
Harrellson played for New York Knicks last season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.6 minutes of play. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2011 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to New York. Harrellson’s
first season with the Knicks was cut short when he suffered a wrist injury. He was traded by the Knicks to Houston during free agency as part of the Marcus Camby deal, and the Rockets released him last week.
Harrellson averaged 6.4 points and 8.8 rebounds as a senior at Kentucky, and was named to the All-East regional team in the 2011 NCAA tournament after he scored 17 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game against Ohio State.
Miami had the option of signing Darko Milicic, Chris Anderson, Mehmet Okur and Eddy Curry, but went with Harrellson.
The addition of Harrellson now takes Miami’s roster to 18 for training camp with only two bases remaining uncovered. Harrellson will fight with Mickell Gladness and other centres like Dexter Pittman for a place on the final roster
during training camp.
The Heat have made some serious roster improvements in the offseason with the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. However, they are still short of a solid big man who can dominate both ends of the court.
Miami may even play a small line-up for next season, with Chris Bosh starting at five and LeBron James splitting time at the three and four. They used this strategy last season and coach Erik Spoelstra talked about it during the
offseason as well. If their problems with a big man continue next season, Miami will be forced to use Bosh at the five to challenge big men Roy Hibbert and Andrew Bynum, both of whom play for Eastern Conference teams now.
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