Miami Heat seeks center, eyes Samuel Dalembert

One of the Heat’s top offseason priorities will be adding a veteran center, and Miami has strong interest in Sacramento free agent Samuel Dalembert. But even if the midlevel exception remains part of the new labor deal (which is undetermined), the Heat knows other teams can offer Dalembert more and would not be surprised if he signs elsewhere.

If the midlevel survives, and if it’s close to this year’s $5.8 million, that would give the Heat a better chance to find a decent center who could lessen the reliance on Joel Anthony (who’s better as a backup) and represent an upgrade over Zydrunas Ilgauskas (considering retirement), Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire. And remember, Chris Bosh will continue to log significant minutes at center when Udonis Haslem is in the game.

But if the midlevel shrinks to $2 million or so or is eliminated, that would limit Miami’s options and make Dalembert highly unlikely here. The Heat will be over the cap and can sign players only to the league minimum (topping out at $1.4 million) or the two exceptions (the mid-level and the $2.2 million biannual one) if they are part of the new deal.

Among centers, potential unrestricted free agents Tyson Chandler, Nene (player option) and Glen Davis (more of a forward) would be out of Miami’s price range, as would restricted free agents Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan.
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Don’t rule out Eddy Curry if he gets in better condition. The Heat thought he was clearly out of shape when Miami auditioned him in April.
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As for Dalembert, the Heat will have competition from the Knicks, the Kings and several others. The 6-11 Dalembert — who averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 24 minutes per game this season — expressed strong interest in the Heat during a March visit to Miami. But he was vague at a Heat playoff game last month.

“I haven’t given it thought,” he said of his plans. But the Heat meets at least two of his criteria: “I want to play for a team that can win a championship. And a team that can run the fast break. Miami has a good one.”

Dalembert, 30, likely will get offers higher than the value of the midlevel. Would he consider taking less money from the Heat?

“We’ll see,” he said, adding he would “like to be in a place that appreciates me.” Dalembert has a home in Boca Raton and that could work in the Heat’s favor, but only if Miami can make a competitive offer. He has traveled with the Heat on earthquake relief missions to Haiti.

“Fit wise, Miami makes a lot of sense,” said his agent, Marc Cornstein. “Economically, we just don’t know because of the labor deal.”

The Heat hopes rookie center Dexter Pittman can be a 2011 contributor, but the chances of that will be reduced if a lockout wipes out summer leagues and coach/player interaction in July, August and September.

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The Heat has just over $61 million in salary commitments for 2011-12, not counting the $1.4 million player options for Ilgauskas and Eddie House. Mike Bibby, James Jones, Dampier, Magloire and Juwan Howard will be unrestricted free agents.

Mario Chalmers, who the Heat wants to keep, would be restricted under the current rules, allowing Miami to match any offer. The Heat would be able to exceed the cap to re-sign him in the current system.

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More troubling numbers on LeBron James: When he was on the court in Game 6, the Heat was outscored by 24. No other player on either team had a plus/minus nearly as poor. Mike Miller was next worst at minus 16.