Our Heat season companion part 9 reviews the Heat’s moves in the buyout market so far and previews a big game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat still have a chance to finish as the fifth or sixth seed and avoid the play-in tournament. Let’s get into our latest edition of the Heat season companion.
Heat Season Companion Part 9: The Heat Added Kevin Love on the Buyout Market
After a relatively quiet trade deadline, I expected that the Heat would be more active in the buyout market. This has been the case. The Heat have added Kevin Love after the Cavaliers bought out his contract. Love has averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in about twenty minutes per game this season. However, given his limited minutes, it is not surprising that Kevin Love has averaged fewer than 10 points per game this season.
Kevin Love is a good addition for the Heat as he adds more scoring and shooting to the team. Love shoots 37.2% from three-point range for his career and his shooting will add some much-needed spacing to the Heat’s offense. Love is also a very good rebounder as he has a career average of 10.5 rebounds per game.
In addition to all this, Love adds some size to the Heat’s bench or starting lineup. This will prove useful for the Heat for the rest of the regular season and in the playoffs. Love’s not a great defender, but given that the Heat are the best defensive team in the league in terms of opponent points allowed, the Heat should be just fine on the defensive end.
The Heat Signed Cody Zeller as a Free Agent
The Heat traded Dewayne Dedmon to the San Antonio Spurs shortly before the NBA trade deadline. As a result, the Heat were in the market for another center to add depth to the team. The Heat signed Cody Zeller as a free agent.
Zeller last played for the Portland Trailblazers in the 2021-22 NBA season. He averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in that season. However, it is worth noting that he was coming off a long-term knee injury in that season.
Zeller adds some veteran depth for the Heat in the frontcourt. The Heat’s frontcourt depth should be better with this addition as Yurtseven is making progress toward returning from his injury. Zeller should do just fine for the Heat as a backup center.
The Heat Face the Bucks Tonight
The Heat have a tough game tonight in Milwaukee against the Bucks. The Bucks won the most recent game against the Heat, but the Heat have beaten the Bucks twice this season. Hopefully, Zeller and Love will play a part in another Heat win against the Bucks. I would bet that the Heat will shoot fairly well from three-point range in this game due to the addition of Kevin Love.
Check back next week for more Miami Heat content.