260 Days After Cutting Ties, Pat Riley Takes U-Turn to Solve Heat’s Concern

The Miami Heat don’t just look to the past—they lean on it like an old friend. As they stare down yet another season of frontcourt uncertainty, team president Pat Riley seems ready to circle back to a once-forgotten name.

Miami originally selected Achiuwa with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He played 61 games during his rookie year, offering flashes of versatility and high-energy rebounding, but little polish. Then came the summer of 2021. The Heat dealt Achiuwa and veteran Goran Dragic to the Toronto Raptors in the sign-and-trade that brought Kyle Lowry to South Beach. It was a win-now move, the kind Riley’s always been willing to make. Achiuwa, still raw, became a casualty of Miami’s aggressive pursuit of a championship-ready talent.

Over the next three seasons, Achiuwa bounced from Toronto to New York, where he found a niche as a rotation big, filling in admirably during Mitchell Robinson’s absence and logging consistent minutes off the bench. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20.5 minutes last season with the Knicks. Then, as quickly as his role emerged, it evaporated. New York moved on, signing Guerschon Yabusele, and leaving Achiuwa adrift in free agency. Now, nine months after parting ways with Precious Achiuwa in New York, the Heat have reopened the door. According to The Dunk Central, “The Miami Heat have contacted Precious”.

With training camp looming and an open roster spot on the line, Miami is talking to the former first-rounder again. Achiuwa, 25 years old, still unsigned, is reportedly one of several names the Heat have considered to reinforce a depleted frontcourt.

This is classic Heat maneuvering. Revisit a former project, try to squeeze rotational value out of someone familiar with the culture, and do it all without triggering the luxury tax. Achiuwa fits the mold. He’s undersized at center, doesn’t stretch the floor, and has a reputation for inconsistency, but he’s active, rebounds, switches defensively, and competes. Miami has won games with far less. He also just purchased a two-bedroom condo in South Beach, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. That’s not a coincidence.

A concern the Heat can’t ignore

The problem is simple the Heat have no clear answer at center behind Bam Adebayo. Kel’el Ware, a second-year project. Vladislav Goldin, an undrafted rookie on a two-way deal. Nikola Jovic, a 6’10″ wing who isn’t a center. Keshad Johnson, another undersized body. None of them are playoff-ready. Adebayo, who’s voiced his desire not to man the five full-time, remains the centerpiece.

But the Heat can’t afford to grind through another season forcing Bam into that role. They’ve lost size and toughness with Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson gone. As it stands, this is a thin rotation that needs help. Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the Heat have been in “ongoing discussions with Precious Achiuwa” as they search for stability at the five.

Barry Jackson added on X, “Heat knows it probably needs to add a veteran big, with Precious Achiuwa among those contacted, as @IraHeatBeat noted. (Along with Kai Jones, etc.) Team has discussed 2 options: 1) Cutting Rozier (and paying him $24.9 M of his $26.6 M to go away) to add a big immediately while staying under tax. or 2) Wait until December, when they can sign a vet without surpassing tax.” This is where things get messy. The Heat have one open roster spot, but they’re $1.6 million over the luxury tax threshold. Adding even a minimum-salary player would push them deeper into tax territory, something Riley seems reluctant to do.

Terry Rozier’s partial guarantee, and he’s owed $24.9M of his $26.6M contract that has become the fulcrum. Waiving him would open just enough breathing room to add a veteran big. But that decision carries risk, if Rozier suffers a major injury before January 10, Miami would be on the hook for the full amount. Meanwhile, the timing feels right Precious has matured. The Heat are desperate, and the market is dry. Kai Jones and Thomas Bryant remain available, but Achiuwa has the advantage of familiarity. He knows Erik Spoelstra’s system, understands the defensive principles, and won’t need a playbook.

For a team staring at 37 wins from last season and a first-round sweep, small bets on upside matter. And while Achiuwa may never be the breakout star Miami hoped he’d become, he can be a stabilizer in a thin rotation. The Heat have until Media Day on Sept. 29 to finalize their camp roster. Teams can carry up to 21 players during the preseason. Miami currently has 17 under contract, with commitments to three others. The last spot remains unclaimed, for now. If Rozier stays healthy and no trade market materializes, expect Miami to delay any big-man signing until December, when the pro-rated minimum wouldn’t trigger the tax. But if Rozier is waived or dealt, Riley’s pivot could be swift.

Precious Achiuwa might not change the Heat’s ceiling, but he could raise their floor. At 25, he’s still young enough to grow. He has playoff experience. And he might just be the best option left.