Heat finalizes deal to add reserve guard Delon Wright as free agent
INDIANAPOLIS
The Heat’s roster is officially full.
The Heat formally announced the signing of guard Delon Wright on Sunday. His signing was expected since he agreed to a buyout with the Washington Wizards to become a free agent Friday, but he needed to clear waivers before the Heat could sign him.
With the addition of Wright, the Heat’s roster is now at the NBA maximum of 15 players on standard contracts. The Heat is also carrying the NBA maximum of three two-way contract players.
If the Heat wants to make another addition, it would need to release a player to make room. With the Feb. 8 trade deadline in the past, the Heat can add players only through free agency for the rest of the season.
The Heat used a prorated minimum contract to sign Wright, 31, for the rest of the season, not the larger taxpayer mid-level exception, according to a league source. The prorated minimum contract is worth about $947,000 and comes with a cap hit of $662,000.
Even after Wright’s signing, the Heat remains below the newly-instituted second apron. But the
Heat faces a luxury tax bill that grew to about $15 million following the addition of Wright.
Because of the Heat’s current salary cap situation, it’s unable to sign free agents this season who have a pre-waiver salary of more than $12.4 million. Wright was eligible to sign with Miami because he was on a salary of $8.2 million before the buyout.
In 33 appearances with Washington this season, Wright averaged 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 36.8 percent on 1.2 three-point attempts per game. He averaged 13.8 minutes coming off the bench.
One of the most impressive stats Wright (6-5 and 185 pounds) has produced in his ninth NBA season is his total of 82 assists to just 11 turnovers.
But his best work has come on the defensive end behind his knack for forcing turnovers; he is averaging a career-high
2.8 steals per 36 minutes this season.
Among those who have played in at least 20 games this season, Wright has averaged the sixthmost deflections per 36 minutes at 4.6.
Wright’s signing will help provide much-needed depth for the Miami at an injury-depleted position.
In addition to guard Dru Smith being out for the rest of the season following knee surgery, guards Terry Rozier (sprained right knee) and Josh Richardson (dislocated right shoulder) were hurt last week and missed the final two games before the break.
Wright’s older brother, Dorell Wright, was picked by the Heat in the first round of the 2004 draft and spent the first six seasons of his career with the Heat.
Wright will wear No. 4 with the Heat.
With the NBA in the middle of the All-Star break, the Heat is off until returning to practice Thursday. Miami’s next game is Friday against the Pelicans in New Orleans.