Report: Dorell Wright Schedules Meeting With Heat, May Sign By Weekend
Dorell Wright will meet with the Heat to discuss and potentially finalize a deal to round out Miami’s 15-man roster as early as this weekend, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Wright, 30, who spent the first six seasons with the Heat from 2004 to 2010, built a close bond with Dwyane Wade, the godfather of Wright’s son, and played under Erik Spoelstra up until his departure as a free agent.
A career 36.5 percent 3-point shooter, Wright averaged 7.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 72 games during his final season with the Heat prior to a breakout season in Golden State, where he led the NBA in 3-point field goal makes and attempts (194 of 516, 37.6 percent) in 2011.
The 6-foot-9 forward will become playoff eligible since he was not waived by another NBA team post the March 1st deadline. Wright has been available to sign with any team since returning from China in February.
In 37 games, he posted 24.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from the 3-point line with the Beikong Fly Dragons.
“I’ve talked to him since he’s been back from China,” Udonis Haslem said to the media before Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. “I would love to have Dorell back.”
Wright was selected straight out of high school from South Kent Prep with the No. 19 pick in the 2004 NBA draft by Miami. He played on the 2006 championship team, alongside current Heat long-timers Haslem and Wade.
From an interview last month with Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, Wright spoke about what’s he looking for in his NBA return:
“Opportunity. Somewhere I could play and contribute. People know what I bring as far as shooting and leadership and being a professional. I’d like to go somewhere I could help build something for a series of years, not just somewhere I can go for the months remaining in this season. I want to be on a team that wants me, and wants me to be there for a long time. I’d like to be able to play and showcase what I can do, so that I could be there again next year with my family.”
Will Miami Avoid The Luxury Tax?
Miami’s decision to wait until the final week of the regular season to fill out their roster comes as no surprise, even as they manage an eight-man rotation.
Still operating under the NBA luxury-tax threshold, the Heat prolonged any new signings following their acquisition of Joe Johnson and Beno Udrih’s waived contract in late February.
Now, Miami’s patience allows it to sit comfortably in a position to avoid the tax while adding the necessary depth for a playoff push.
From Bobby Marks of The Vertical:
Prorated minimum for a player like Dorell Wright today is $39k. Heat are $46k below the tax and can sign 2 players on Sunday.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 7, 2016
Expect the second signing to be a developmental prospect from the Heat’s Developmental League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, who just set the record for most regular season wins in the D-League history.
Guards Briante Weber and Larry Drew, forwards Greg Whittington and DeAndre Liggins, as well as center Keith Benson are all under consideration.
Weber, who signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and started in four of six games for them in March, averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 27.7 minutes.
The 23-year old shot 34.2 percent from the field and missed on all five of his 3-point attempts, however, he’s currently shooting 40 percent from three in the D-League and is tied for second among qualifying D-League players with 2.1 steals per game.
Who he’s tied with? Oh, none other than Liggins, who last played with Miami in 2014 on a 10-day contract and appeared in only one game, and Whittington, who had a standout summer league and made the Heat’s training camp roster this season.
Miami has been able to groom a handful of young players into their rotation this season – from rookies Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson to Tyler Johnson and Hassan Whiteside. So, anticipate Miami to give another Skyforce youngster a chance to learn under their system.