NBA Rumors: One potential option that reportedly remains on the table for the Miami Heat in their pursuit to replace PJ Tucker is to sign LaMarcus Aldridge.
Roughly a month into free agency, I’m not sure anyone would say it has been kind to the Miami Heat. In fact, an argument can be made that the Heat has struggled for much of the offseason and has taken a step back heading into 2022-23.
Perhaps the area where the Heat are left hurting the most is at the power forward position. Miami lost PJ Tucker to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency and hasn’t replaced him. The Heat is down a starter and doesn’t really have a replacement in-house at the moment.
Whether it’s Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, or Haywood Highsmith, the Heat doesn’t have many good options to replace Tucker. However, according to a recent report, one potential option for the Heat (who they’ve been reportedly linked to) is LaMarcus Aldridge.
And with all due respect to Aldridge, it’s probably not a great one either. Though, it may be better than any of the Heat’s other options.
Signing Aldridge would have his benefits. If there’s one thing Aldridge can probably still do at the advanced age of 37, it’s score. He leaves much to be desired on the defensive end, but Aldridge can still shoot and keep a defense honest.
The question is, would that be something the Heat would be fine with? For an organization that prides itself on being stingy on the defensive end, replacing Tucker with Aldridge would be a massive downgrade on that end of the floor.
Not to mention, with the likelihood that the Heat will be inserting Tyler Herro into the starting lineup this season, I’m not sure Aldridge would be the ideal starting 4.
Nevertheless, the Heat likely doesn’t have plenty of great options. Considering the circumstance, Aldridge could make some sense.