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With the NBA playoffs just around the corner, contending teams are looking to fill up empty roster spots with suitable veterans that can help contribute. Notable Eastern Conference contenders, the Miami Heat, still have two roster spots available to bring in free agents before their regular season finale against the Boston Celtics next Wednesday.
According to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports, free agent forward and former Blazer Dorell Wright will meet with the Heat today about a potential dea.
Because he has not been with another NBA team since March 1, Wright has the opportunity to join the roster for the remainder of the 2016 season. The move comes as no big surprise, as the Heat have been active in signing key free agents to help bolster their roster. Joe Johnson joined the Heat as a Starter after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets at the NBA Trade Deadline in February.
Wright, who turned 30 this season, spent his first six seasons with the Heat after being selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Known for his 3-point shooting, Wright averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range over the course of his NBA career.
Prior to signing with the Beikong Fly Dragons last off-season (Chongqing Fly Dragons, at the time), Wright was reportedly in talks to return to the Heat, who did not extend a formal offer. With the Dragons, Wright averaged 24.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
As part of the Heats 2006 NBA Championship team, Wright has a close relationship with Dwyane Wade and has a history with Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, as well as coaches Keith Smart and Chris Quinn. Wright is an experienced veteran, and his 3-point shooting could help the Heat bench heading into the postseason.