Having been sent to Phoenix in a deadline-day trade, Jared Sullinger was subsequently waived and became a free agent. Now, he’s in the “exploratory stages” of finding a new team, per agent David Falk, who confirmed to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) that Sullinger met with Heat president Pat Riley in recent days.
As Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel observes (via Twitter), the Heat may soon have a roster spot opening up, if they can finalize the removal of Chris Bosh‘s contract from their books. Although that spot isn’t necessarily ticketed for Sullinger, Winderman reports that the Heat have “kicked the tires” on the veteran big man.
Sullinger, who turned 25 on Saturday, averaged at least 10.3 PPG and 7.6 RPG in each of his previous three seasons with Boston before signing a one-year pact with the Raptors last summer. However, his season was derailed by foot surgery, which prevented him from making his debut with Toronto until well until the new year. For the season, Sullinger has played sparingly in just 11 games, averaging 3.4 PPG and 2.5 RPG.
While a healthy Sullinger could potentially be an asset to a team in need of rebounding help and interior scoring down the stretch, he didn’t look to be at 100% during his time with the Raptors. Any team with interest in adding him as a free agent in the coming days or weeks will likely want to take a close look at his health and conditioning before making any commitments.
The Heat need Sullinger, he’s 20x better than Babbitt dumb ass
Boston should seriously consider a reunion. The rebounding in that Suns game was ugly for stretches, and Tristan Thompson got a bunch of free dunks after camping out in the paint and not moving. They need interior help and Sully is the best option. Cut James Young. Mickey has shown flashes of a real NBA player, and Gerald Green has been known to go off on occasion.
Heat were interested in him during the draft, but I’d be surprised if they are now, as much as I’d like a replacement for Babbit. Heat are the best conditioned team in the league, by their own culture statement. Sullinger obviously doesn’t fit into that
Just don’t understand the Okaro white signing. He had one good game against the worst team in the NBA.
You clearly haven’t seen him play
I don’t know why the Heat didn’t offer Terrence Jones a contract. He’s a good PF, the Heat is doing great with average players, I would give a try to Anthont Bennett, maybe they discover untapped potential on the guy, 1 round overall pick he has something good in it.
Bout to go to the cavs now that bogut is done for the year
Could be but he’s fat and doesn’t move very well at the moment. Maybe once he gets into shape. If he ever will.