Monday, November 28th, 2011 at 9:00 am  |  115 responses

Samuel Dalembert Wants to Play for the Miami Heat


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Once the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is ratified by both players and team owners, the NBA’s free agency sprint is going to be one wild ride. Under League rules, players are the only ones allowed to discuss the matter at the moment, and they haven’t held back.

Samuel Dalembert tells Fox Sports that he’d like to join a title contender this season, and for a number of basketball and person reasons, the Miami Heat would be his top choice:

The team desperately needs a center, and the 6-foot-11 Dalembert is a free agent. And the Heat is high on his list as the free agency signing period is expected to begin Dec. 9 following a five-month lockout. Joining the Heat “would be fantastic,” Dalembert said Sunday night from Haiti. Miami is where more than 50 of his relatives live and is about one hour south of his home in Boca Raton.

As for the volunteering part, Dalembert likely would require a big pay cut to join the Heat, which will be over the salary cap. Dalembert, who made $13.43 million last season for Sacramento, might have to sign for the $5 million mid-level exception. Dalembert wouldn’t say he would agree to that. But he did say “what is best for you might not be for the most money.” And he definitely likes the Heat. “I’m keeping all my options open, but Miami could be a good fit for me,” Dalembert said.

“If you look at the playoffs with Dallas, you saw what Tyson Chandler did,” Dalembert said, referring to the 7-foot-1 center who helped the Mavs beat the Heat in six games for the title last June. “He was basically a key ingredient for them to win a championship. And Miami didn’t have somebody like that. Somebody able to stop (foes from) getting second shots and somebody able to rebound and finish. I could fill that role and be an asset for that team.”

Other cities the 30-year old Dalembert could see himself playing in also include New York and Houston.

The linked article is a worthwile read, as it delves into Samuel Dalembert’s charitable work in Haiti, with the country trying to rebuild following the January 2010 earthquake disaster.

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  • http://www.slamonline.com megatron

    LOL @ “poor mans steve novak”. But przybilla would actually be a good fit I think.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Pryzbilla is ready to retire.
    That knee injury was an all timer.
    THEN he did it again in the shower.

  • TW Carl

    He’s a nice guy but I don’t miss the goal tending calls and fade away jumpers over smaller players that I witnessed all too often when he was in Philly.

  • T-Money

    Winderman is saying that Wade is working hard to get Caron Butler and that the interest is mutual. That could lead tosome interesting but unorthodox lineups.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Don Nelson, where are you when A team actually needs you

  • http://dsfjklf.com Jukai

    Haha yeah, I was talking about Pryzbilla. Heat would definitely need to give him a checkup as Philo said, but if he’s even half healthy, he’s an upgrade over Anthony.

  • http://www.slamonline.com megatron

    id rather battier than caron. I think he would fit alot better

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    I’m liking Battier in Memphis with Toney Allen (and I’m sure they do too), but he’d be great for Miami. Still one of the best defenders in the game and a clutch 3 point shooter. Two things they need or want.

  • http://dsfjklf.com Jukai

    I’d rather have a healthy Pryzbilla over a healthy Sammy. I’d rather have a healthy Sammy over an unhealthy Pryzbilla.
    I’d rather have an unhealthy Sammy or an unhealthy Pryzbilla over Joel f*cking Anthony.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys6VpgI9BHA datkid

    I’m just saying the heat can do better….

  • Justin

    I don’t know that Nash would fit in with Miami. Lebron needs to have the ball in his hands although maybe he would give that up to accomodate Nash and learn to play off the ball more. A fast break with Nash leading, Lebron and Wade on the wings and maybe Bosh as the trailer is a scary thought though.

  • EtheKnickFan

    sighhh why dont they just get DHoward, CP3, and jesus as 6th man?

  • Dalembret is awesome

    are you guys serious?? Dalembret represents a HUGE upgrade at center, first of he is actually a legitimate starter, and all the heat really need is a tough, defensive minded, big body in the paint to challenge more dominant centers, as well as someone who can consistantly score more that 2ppg and grab 3rpg. there is no such thing as basketball iq, and even if that would make a difference, the stats more than make up for it. dalembret is exactly the kind of player the heat need, and if he can be signed with the Mid level exception then it would mean he would be signing for less than his market value. you all should be thanking him for even considering playing for the heat. with dalembret on the roster, there will be nothing standing in the way of a championship

  • Dalembret is awesome

    also his market value should be in the neighborhood of 8 mil, he is due for a pay cut to begin with

  • http://Bing Andrew McLoon

    Samuel Dalembert Please Go Play For The Miami Heat Team Along Side With John Lucas And Baron Davis And Also With Elton Brand As Well On The Miami Heat Team Please Samuel Dalembert i Beg You Please Please Go Play For The Miami Heat Team

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