{"id":378943,"date":"2026-08-23T09:22:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T09:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/378943\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T09:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T09:22:11","slug":"miami-heat-show-strong-interest-in-veteran-center-for-final-roster-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/378943\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Heat show strong interest in veteran center for final roster spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Heat reportedly have a strong mutual interest with Nick Richards and are considering using their final roster spot on the veteran center after recently adding Klay Thompson.<\/p>\n

The Miami Heat could be closing in on another addition after strengthening their roster with Klay Thompson.<\/p>\n

According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery<\/a>, there is “strong mutual interest” between Miami and free-agent center Nick Richards, with the Heat planning to use their final open roster spot on a backup big man.<\/p>\n

Richards would give Miami another traditional center option and help complete the team’s new-look rotation ahead of the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

The development comes shortly after Miami landed Thompson following his buyout with the Dallas Mavericks.<\/p>\n

Heat turn attention to frontcourt <\/p>\n

With Thompson set to join the team, Miami now has one standard roster spot available, and Sidery reports that the organization intends to use it on a backup big.<\/p>\n

Richards has emerged as a prominent candidate for that role.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-11 center has already been around the organization this offseason. Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson previously reported<\/a> that Richards had been working out with Heat players at Kaseya Center, although Miami had not made him a formal offer at that stage.<\/p>\n

Richards could provide size, rebounding and rim protection behind Miami’s established frontcourt pieces in Bam Adebayo and Bobby Portis while requiring little offensive usage.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Credit AP – Scanpix<\/p>\n

Richards has played for three NBA teams <\/p>\n

Richards entered the NBA as the No. 42 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after spending three seasons at Kentucky.<\/p>\n

He began his professional career with the Charlotte Hornets and spent his first four-plus seasons with the organization before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in January 2025.<\/p>\n

Phoenix acquired Richards and a second-round pick in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round selections.<\/p>\n

Richards remained with Phoenix until February 2026, when he was sent to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade also involving the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n

During the 2025-26 season, the 28-year-old Richards appeared in 48 games between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field.<\/p>\n

Across six NBA seasons, Richards has played 305 regular-season games, including 114 starts, and has career averages of 7.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 62.1% from the field.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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