Miami Heat: 5 Potential (Cheap) Willie Reed Replacements

4. Roy Hibbert, Denver Nuggets

I know, I know.

“Why him?! He’s terrible now! I hate him! He used to kill the Heat!”  (What you’re thinking is probably even more vulgar than that, if we’re being honest.)

But signing Roy Hibbert would have some benefits.

For one, he would be cheap.

Hibbert had a one-year deal this season, worth $5 million. Considering he saw action in just six of the final 33 games of 2016-17, his next contract will be even smaller than that.

Furthermore, he may no longer be anywhere near the behemoth, verticality-abusing monster he was with the Indiana Pacers in his heyday, but he’s still got a bit left in the tank.

As a member of the Charlotte Hornets (before a mid-season trades saw him get shipped first to the Milwaukee Bucks and then, without appearing in a game as a Buck, to the Denver Nuggets), Hibbert participated in 42 games, and averaged 16.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 block.

His best performance came on Oct. 26 against the Bucks. He scored 15 points, brought down 10 boards and blocked five shots while going 6-of-9 from the floor.

Hibbert wouldn’t be a game-changer, but he could easily fill the role Reed had backing up Whiteside. At the very least, he’d block some shots and dunk the basketball.

Plus, wouldn’t it be kind of fun to see him in a Heat jersey? Stop lying! You know it would.