The Miami Heat need healthy bodies. The team is getting hit hard by injuries coming out of the All-Star break, leaving them extremely short-handed in games, and that is only getting worse. With Chris Bosh already out, the Heat cannot afford to lose more players. However, according to ESPN's Wallace Matthews, Beno Udrih is done for the year with a foot injury. Now the Heat are looking to get involved in the free agent market with Reggie Evans emerging as an option.
According to Mike Hamilton of Basketball Insiders, Evans is getting targeted by the Heat despite having not played all season long. The Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics are also interested in the free agent. At 35, Evans would not be the most flashy signing for Miami, but he is still considered an above-average defender. He put up 3.7 points and 6.4 rebounds with the Sacramento Kings last year. He could make a good mark for the Heat especially if Bosh is out for the year.
There is still no clarity on Bosh's situation. Bosh's return time is still unknown for the Heat as he takes blood thinners to help a clot in his calf, according to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald. Per head coach Erik Spoelstra, Bosh is coming around the organization and staying involved by watching tape with the team. Dwyane Wade told the media that everyone is in good spirits and just focused on his health.
"As I said from Day One, his spirits are up and when he's around the team, he's CB," Wade said, via the Miami Herald. "He cracks jokes on everybody. He gets on the court, shoots the little jump shots he shoots. He might get a little sweat in. Just being around the locker room, it's good sometimes when we're able to sit in front of Coach and have the whole team."
The Heat are still working on replacing Bosh on the court and Evans could help in that effort. Luol Deng is the primary target to step up and try to make a difference while the forward is out. Deng is now playing more of a power forward role while guys like Justise Winslow see more time at the small forward position. Deng knows the Heat are in a bad position with injuries and he cannot afford to be missing time on the court as well.
"I think the game has changed so much, I'm big enough to play the four," Deng said, via the Miami Sun-Sentinel. "I'm confident because this year I've played the four a lot more than I did before. Even last year, I didn't play as much at the four that I did this year. So I'm comfortable with the sets. I don't mind playing the four at all."
