Breaking News: Miami Heat to address point guard need by adding veteran after buyout

The Miami Heat intend to recruit Delon Wright to bolster their ball-handling capabilities following injuries in their backcourt. Wright, who has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, is set to join the Heat pending clearance from waivers, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Despite receiving fewer minutes this season with the Wizards focusing on younger talents during their rebuilding phase, the 31-year-old should offer valuable contributions to a playoff-bound team like the Heat.

Can Wright still play?

Despite experiencing reduced playing time, Delon Wright remains a viable option as a rotation-level point guard. His performance in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 assists in 24.4 minutes per game, attests to his capabilities. Standing at 6-foot-5, Wright offers consistent shooting, playmaking, and defensive skills. His career assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.1 to 0.9 demonstrates his ability to handle the ball effectively. Additionally, he is shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc this season, further highlighting his offensive prowess.

How Wright can help

With starting point guard Terry Rozier sidelined due to a right knee sprain and key reserve Josh Richardson recovering from a dislocated right shoulder, the Miami Heat are facing a pressing need for additional ball-handling. Delon Wright’s role will primarily involve ball security, accurate long-range shooting, and consistent defensive performance. Given Miami’s injury woes, Wright will integrate into a backcourt rotation alongside Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and recently promoted Alondes Williams. His playing time is expected to increase significantly, potentially even earning him a starting position, as Rozier and Richardson remain out of the lineup. Furthermore, Wright’s presence will offer crucial depth to mitigate potential future injuries within the team.