Miami Heat: 5 Potential (Cheap) Willie Reed Replacements
By Frank Urbina
1. Nene – Houston Rockets
We close our list with the unlikeliest (but most fun) option: Nene.
The 14-year veteran has shown signs of slowing down over recent years, but is still capable of doing a lot of damage in brief stints.
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On the season, Nene averaged 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds on 61.7 percent shooting, in fewer than 18 minutes played. When stretched to Per-36, that amounts to 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest.
He may not be much of a shot-blocker anymore, but the Brazilian big man can help Miami’s second unit with his ability to efficiently get buckets.
Game 4 of the opening round of the Western Conference Playoffs perfectly encapsulates that point. Nene was machine-like with his scoring, finishing with 28 points on an absurd 12-for-12 shooting night.
Thanks to his advanced age (he’s 34) and complete lack of upside, he more than likely won’t get many offers worth more than the one he’s currently on — a one-year/$2.9 million deal.
Additionally, during his end-of-year presser, Pat Riley mentioned the possibility of acquiring a player using a room-level exception. A guy with Nene’s credentials would be the perfect candidate to fill the spot, and help buoy Spoelstra’s bench.
Don’t get me wrong, losing Reed is going to hurt. We watched him get his shot with Miami’s 2015 Summer League team and turn that opportunity into a contract offer from the Brooklyn Nets, before returning to South Florida and becoming a legitimate NBA player.
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But such is life in professional sports sometimes. Thankfully, Riley and the Heat will have plenty of solid options (at bargain prices) to choose from this summer.