Miami Heat Add Nick Richards as Backup Center Behind Bam Adebayo
The Miami Heat have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran center Nick Richards, adding more frontcourt depth as the team continues to build its roster for the 2026-27 season. The move follows Miami's recent signing of five-time All-Star Klay Thompson and comes as the Heat look to strengthen a team that missed the playoffs last season.
Richards had already been working out with Heat players in Miami, making the agreement more a matter of timing than a surprise. The 28-year-old is expected to serve as a reserve center behind Bam Adebayo, giving head coach Erik Spoelstra another experienced option in the frontcourt.
The signing adds to the latest NBA News around Miami as the Heat continue building around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson. Richards' non-guaranteed deal gives Miami flexibility to adjust its roster before the season. The Heat used a similar contract with Precious Achiuwa last year.
Key Takeaways
The Miami Heat have signed veteran center Nick Richards to a one-year deal, bolstering their frontcourt depth behind Bam Adebayo and adding roster flexibility.
- The Miami Heat have signed veteran center Nick Richards to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, adding depth behind Bam Adebayo and increasing roster flexibility.
- Richards, who previously played for the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and Chicago Bulls, is expected to compete for backup center minutes and provide rebounding and experience.
- This signing, along with the acquisitions of Klay Thompson and Giannis Antetokounmpo, continues Miami's efforts to reshape their roster for the upcoming season while leaving room for further adjustments.
Veteran Center Brings Size and Experience
Richards entered the NBA after being selected 42nd overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2020 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Charlotte Hornets the following day and spent the first part of his career in Charlotte before later joining the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.
Last season, Richards appeared in 48 games between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game. He also shot 51.2% from the field, while his career averages stand at 7.1 points and 5.8 rebounds on 62.1% shooting.
His role in Miami should be relatively straightforward. Adebayo remains the team's primary center, while Richards will compete with Bobby Portis for reserve frontcourt minutes. His rebounding, size and experience could become particularly useful during a long regular season when Miami needs to manage Adebayo's workload.
Miami Keeps Roster Flexibility
Richards' arrival brings Miami to 14 standard contracts, leaving the Heat with one roster spot available if they decide to carry a full 15-man group. Earlier reports identified Richards, former Heat guard Gabe Vincent and Keshad Johnson as candidates for the remaining roster spots.
Miami could still decide to leave that final position open. With Richards' contract not fully guaranteed until the season starts, the Heat have another opportunity to evaluate their options during training camp and preseason. That approach could become important if another veteran becomes available through free agency or one of the NBA trades that typically reshape rosters late in the offseason.
The Heat also have financial flexibility after completing Thompson's signing. Thompson joined Miami after reaching a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, and his arrival followed the team's acquisition of Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. Those moves have made Miami one of the central stories in NBA News heading into the new season.
Keshad Johnson Returns on Two-Way Deal
Miami also agreed to re-sign Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract. Johnson spent parts of the previous two seasons with the Heat and averaged 3.7 points in 48 games before returning under the new deal. He also won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, adding another interesting young player to Miami's group.
For now, Richards appears set to occupy the backup center role while Miami evaluates the rest of its roster. The signing may not carry the same attention as the team's bigger moves, but it addresses a practical need without sacrificing flexibility.
As NBA News continues to focus on Miami's revamped roster, the Heat still have one important decision left: whether to use their final standard roster spot or wait for another opportunity. Unless the next development comes through free agency or NBA trades, Richards gives Miami a dependable veteran presence in the middle as the team prepares for the season.