Miami Heat: 3 ways to fill out the remainder of the roster

2. Sign a big

As currently constructed, Miami only has three players 6’10” or above in Adebayo, Leonard and Olynyk. Miami should add one more big to provide some lineup flexibility. Both Leonard and Olynyk are able to play power forward at times, so it would help Miami to have another player who can play center.

One option is Cheick Diallo. The 22-year-old’s NBA career hasn’t panned out that well so far, but Miami can tap into his athleticism and make him a quality rotation player just as it did with Derrick Jones Jr. Diallo stands at 6’9”, has a 7’4” wingspan and is mobile. He posted a total rebound percentage — the percentage of how many rebounds a player gets when he’s on the floor — of 19.2, only 0.1 lower than Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Another option is Kenneth Faried. After being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets, Faried played well for the Houston Rockets. He averaged 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in Houston, with energy and athleticism that allowed him to be a great spark plug off the bench.

No matter who the player is, Miami should add an athletic big to compliment Kelly Olynyk and Meyers Leonard. Both players are slower bigs that shoot the 3-pointer well, so it makes sense to play them next to an energetic and mobile big. Since Olynyk and Leonard are tall enough to play center, the Heat will only need to sign one player like this. Other candidates include Marquese Chriss and Ray Spalding.