The Miami Heat are lacking depth at the big man position. Currently, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware are the only two legitimate centers under contract. What’s worse is that they’re expected to work as a pairing in the starting unit.
As such, Pat Riley may need to dip his toes into the free agent market. Miami will need at least one additional center to ensure Erik Spoelstra has enough cover at the five. According to Dan Riccio of “Hot Hot Hoops,” Miami would be wise to explore the idea of adding Chris Boucher to the rotation.
Boucher, 32, is currently an unrestricted free agent. He played in 50 games last season, averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds on 49.2% shooting from the field and 36.3% from deep.
“Toronto Raptors big man Chris Boucher may pose as the most talented option to fill that role for the Heat left on the market,” Riccio wrote. “At 6-foot-9 and a lengthy 7-foot-4 wingspan, Boucher is a versatile center that can impact the game both inside and outside. He is coming off a 2024-25 campaign averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds on nearly 50% from the field and 36.3% from deep. Additionally, Boucher could reunite with the newly acquired Powell as a former 2019 NBA champion with Toronto. His experience at 32 years old aligns with the reliable insurance at the big position.”
Boucher is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He could potentially be a cost-controlled addition to Miami’s roster while providing reliable depth. Furthermore, he was part of the Toronto Raptors team that won the 2019 NBA championship. Therefore, he would bring some additional championship know-how to the Heat’s roster.
Heat’s Current Roster is Earning Criticism
In a recent article for CBS Sports, Sam Quinn shared his thoughts on the Heat’s front office, the current roster, and how the Heat are getting left behind as the NBA enters a new era.
“The overall vision here feels outdated,” Quinn wrote. “The Heat appear far too comfortable being mediocre. They would likely prefer the term “patient.” In the late 2000s, they were comfortable punting away two seasons to create the cap space to sign LeBron James. Between the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, they went two games above .500, seemingly in a holding pattern until the next star forced his way to Miami. Butler fell into their lap. Now, they seem to be acting somewhat similarly.”
Outside of Norman Powell, who joined via a three-team trade earlier in the summer, the Heat haven’t made much headway in improving the current rotation. Rookie ball-handler Kasparas Jakucionis is the only other notable addition.
Heat Not Expected to Make Any More Trades
In a recent episode of the “Zaslow Show 2.0,” NBA cap expert Bobby Marks explained why he doesn’t expect Miami to make a trade before the new season begins.
“I mean, listen, we’re going to see probably within the next couple of days, Beal become available in free agency,” Marks said. “I think the Norman Powell move eliminates that, as far as what they need. They’re a little bit below the first apron, so they can go out and sign a minimum guy if they want to do that. But I’m not anticipating another big move.”
If the Heat are done working in the trade market, the free agency addition of Boucher could make even more sense. After all, low-cost big men who can shoot the three and rebound at a high level are scarce in the NBA. His addition could be an important one, assuming Riley pinpoints him as someone who could improve the current roster.
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