Report: Heat To Sign Rashard Lewis
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat continued bringing former All-Star's into the fold Tuesday when, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the team agreed to terms on a deal with free agent forward Rashard Lewis.
The Herald reported the deal will be a veteran minimum contract worth $1.35 million for next year. Typically, veteran deals have a second-year option for the team.
The addition of Lewis gives Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, another stretch forward to add to an already juggernaut-like lineup.
He was a shell of his former self last season while dealing with a knee injury that forced him out for the season in late February. New Orleans acquired Lewis' horrible contract last season and bought it out at the end of the year for more than $13 million.
Lewis would be brought in for a similar role as Ray Allen, hit the open perimeter shots. For his career, Lewis shoots 39 percent from behind the 3-point line and is an 81 percent free throw shooter. Lewis averages 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for his career.
Miami will likely have Lewis as one of the first wave of players off the bench.
Currently, the Heat's roster looks like this:
Starters: PG - Mario Chalmers; SG - Dwyane Wade; SF - Shane Battier; PF - LeBron James; C - Chris Bosh
Bench: PG - Norris Cole; SG - Ray Allen; SF/PF - Rashard Lewis; PF - Udonis Haslem; SF - Mike Miller; SF/SG - James Jones; C - Joel Anthony; C - Dexter Pittman
The Heat also have second-round draft pick Justin Hamilton, a 7-foot, 260 pound behemoth that they are looking at in the summer league, but he's not guaranteed a roster spot
The signing of Lewis leaves two more roster spots open for the Heat. The lone weakness the Heat may address is for extra size from a veteran big man/center.
Once again, Pat Riley made his list as the season ended and has signed two of his three top targets.
