Not a trade-related story, but the Miami Heat got encouraging word about one of their big players on Monday morning.
According to source, Omer Yurtseven, a center for the team, has been cleared for “high impact work” and that his ankle is now fully healthy. Yurtseven played just one preseason game before suffering the ankle injury, underwent surgery, and has missed the entire season up to this point.
The Heat anticipates that Jackson will “play in games after All-Star break,” which will take place from February 17–19. Yurtseven is still in Miami and is not currently traveling with the team on their four-game road trip.
According to Jackson, Yurtseven’s representative, Nick Glass, corroborated the information.
“Omer should provide excellent lift in the second half,” according to Omer’s agent Keith Glass. “Orlando Robinson runs out of NBA-eligible two-way days on February 25 if he plays every game up to that point. Robinson can be converted to a conventional deal if Heat chooses.”
It’s still being determined whether Yurtseven will play a part in the rotation whenever he returns, and the trade deadline is just two weeks away on February 9. The Heat, meanwhile, could use all the frontcourt support they could get behind star big Bam Adebayo, given the roster’s present structure.
Orlando Robinson, a rookie two-way center, has proven to be a lifesaver following Dewayne Dedmon’s disastrous start. However, as I’ve already stated, the Heat still requires a dependable rotational big man to play behind Adebayo. Yurtseven and Dedmon are the Heat’s only two playoff-eligible big men, as Robinson, who is eligible for 26 of the team’s next 31 games but isn’t because he’s still on a two-way contract, isn’t.
Yurtseven is the missing component that can provide 10-15 decent minutes per night, even after recovering from an ankle injury. Maybe he isn’t. With a record of 28–23, the Heat doesn’t have much time to speculate. The excitement of the unknown makes it more likely to believe they make a play for a backup large.
Last year, Yurtseven showed flashes of ability as a mid-to low-post hub, rebounder, and (drop) defender, although most of his playing time was due to Adebayo and Dedmon’s injuries. In 56 games, 12 of which he started, he averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting.
However, it is encouraging for the Heat to see that their 24-year-old 7-footer is getting closer to returning after there was talk (from myself and others) that he would sit out the entire year.