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Barry Jackson: For those asking about Gabe Vincent, there has been no Heat offer. Knicks brought him to New York earlier this week. New York signed 5 vets today to compete for 1 or 2 roster spots: Bruce Brown, John Konchar, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, Ochai Agbaji. Heat, which is hard-capped, added Nick Richards on this type of non-guaranteed deal but otherwise is holding onto a spot in case something needle-moving shakes free in months ahead.
Konchar would have interest in the Heat, but more so if Miami offers a guaranteed deal. And it seems doubtful that the Heat would offer a full guarantee because that would make it more difficult for Miami to add an appealing player on the buyout market during the season. Miami potentially could offer the type of nonguaranteed deal that it gave veteran center Nick Richards, whose $3.1 million salary becomes guaranteed if he’s on the opening night roster. A source was skeptical about whether Konchar would take a non-guaranteed deal but wouldn’t totally rule it out.
Heat Central: Nick Richards on why he chose the Miami Heat: “I feel I’m in the right situation that was best for me. — I think the way that the Heat has been known for guys that play physical, play hard, and play their role, I feel like that’s for me. I just keep doing that every single day and I’ll be fine. I think that there’s a lot of teams that passed up on me that I feel should’ve given me more consideration. I felt like it was time for me to resolve ‘you guys were wrong, you should have picked me’” (h/t @IraHeatBeat)
After the Heat picked up Nick Richards on a veteran’s minimum contract on Thursday, the list of free- agent big men became even shorter and more bleak. The most significant option for the Lakers could be Dwight Powell, the 6-10, 35-year-old big man who was teammates with Doncic for 6 ½ seasons in Dallas. Notably, Powell has played the most games as a teammate alongside Doncic (389) among the 98 players Doncic has played alongside in his eight-year NBA career. Besides Powell, the other realistic options are veteran journeymen Drew Eubanks, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee — demonstrating the lack of quality big man free-agent targets.
Barry Jackson: With Nick Richards (who got Heat's 14th standard contract) agreeing to a non-guaranteed deal, Heat has flexibility to pounce on any player that emerges, that it likes, with a 15th roster spot or even the 14th roster spot.And only $500,000 of Myron Gardner's $2.6 M is guaranteed.
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Ira Winderman: Heat say Nick Richards will wear No. 8.
Shams Charania: Free agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, sources tell ESPN. After signing Klay Thompson, the Heat fill roster slot No. 14 with a reserve big man.
Heat Central: Brian Windhorst on Nick Richards and the Heat’s final two roster spots: “The Heat may end up leaving the 15th spot open for a while to see what happens. They have been attached to Nick Richards who’s a 3rd string center and wouldn’t surprise me if he goes there on the minimum. — I do think Miami will be on the lookout for ball handling. It may not happen in October.”
Barry Jackson: Heat likely will leave 15th roster spot open for some time to see what shakes free. Preference is to use 14th on a power rotation player, with Nick Richards still remaining very much in play.
Barry Jackson: Couple Heat updates just now, beyond expected addition of Vin Baker to coaching staff: 1). Heat prefers a big man with 14th spot. There is definite Heat interest in Nick Richards but a couple of others in the mix, too. Richards must decide what he wants to do, with Heat among multiple teams interested. 2). There have been talks about bringing back Keshad Johnson.
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Miami has kicked around the idea of adding veteran center Nick Richards — who has been working out with Heat players at Kaseya Center while dressed in Heat gear — but there had been no Heat offer and no deal as of midday Wednesday, per a source. Free agents can work out at the Heat’s facility if they sign a waiver. Richards, who is 6-11, averaged 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 14.6 minutes in 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season.
Before Marvin Bagley III agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, the Knicks were showing interest in the 27-year-old big man, league sources told HoopsHype. New York’s recent interest in Kevon Looney and Nick Richards, who have been linked to the Knicks via trade interest for multiple seasons, has also been documented. Another center who shouldn’t be overlooked for the Knicks is Andre Drummond. The former four-time rebounding champion and two-time All-Star remains one of the league’s top rebounders statistically and is in play with several teams in free agency.
K.C. Johnson: Josh Giddey out, Matas Buzelis out, Nick Richards out Vs. Suns, per Donovan
