With Miami Heat star Chris Bosh out for the season, the team may look at free agents Michael Beasley or Andray Blatche as a frontcourt option. Miami has been linked to Blatche before, and a report Saturday indicated Beasley was spotted working out at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Bosh will be sidelined for at least the remainder of the season because of blood clots in one of his lungs, the Heat announced Saturday. While Bosh is expected to make a full recovery, his season-ending condition leaves Miami needing to add frontcourt depth. With the trade deadline having passed on Thursday, the Heat will likely look for veteran help through free agency. Two names likely being looked at are Beasley and Blatche.
"Please do not jump to conclusions ... but the Sun Sentinel has learned that Michael Beasley has been working out at AmericanAirlines Arena," the Sentinel's Ira Winderman tweeted Saturday.
Beasley played last season for Miami. Although he looked like an improved player, the Heat ultimately declined to bring him back this season. He ended up playing for the Shanghai Sharks in China, and became an eligible NBA free agent after the Sharks failed to reach the postseason.
Blatche is another possibility. He played in China this season for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, and once his team fell short of the playoffs, terminated his contract on Feb. 1. Miami reportedly expressed interest in signing Blatche in December but couldn't because he was still under contract with Xinjiang.
"Heard while in Miami: Heat have Andray Blatche in their sights after Josh Smith wound up choosing Houston to team up with pal Dwight Howard," ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted Dec 27. "... Trouble there, of course, is that Blatche will be with his team in China through at least February. Heat need a big sooner than later."
UPDATE (3:15 p.m. ET): Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported Miami has been talking to Beasley and Blatche.
