While the Miami Heat are having a successful free agency so far, they may need to lock in one of their current free agents. Heat summer league standout, Omer Yurtseven has dominated his first two games with the Heat’s summer league squad. On Tuesday, he finished with 27 points and 19 rebounds in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers. He then followed that up with 25 points and eight rebounds in a win against the Golden State Warriors.
Yurtseven is currently a free agent after Miami declined the team option in his contract. Why? Well, Yurtseven’s agent Keith Glass has the answer to that. Here’s what he told the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
“I asked them when we signed [on May 14]” to not exercise the Aug. 1 option “so that when they gave me the option, they could go back to me and do a new deal.They kept their word. The only thing they didn’t do at that time [last Sunday] was make a deal. Now it’s a different time.”
Miami faced a similar situation a couple of years ago with Willie Reed. Reed, who had an outstanding summer league, was poached by the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets signed Reed to a one-year deal for the minimum. Like Yurtseven, he wasn’t signed by the Heat to a deal while playing summer league. However, Glass believes this situation will have a different outcome.
“I remember Willie Reed left in the gym,” Glass said. “That’s not who I am, especially after the [Heat] spent time and money on one of my players. Omer is not leaving the gym without talking to Miami.”
Time to Sign Yurtseven?
With what Yurtseven’s shown so far, he can be an impact player for the Heat down the road. Maybe even next season. He’ll fit alongside Bam Adebayo or Dewayne Dedmon as a stretch big. The big man can also play as a stand-alone big with his ability to play inside the paint. He’s been looking like a man against boys in the summer league. It appears the Heat may have found another gem. Now, they just have to lock him in.
As the article in the Miami Herald stated, Miami could offer a standard or two-way contract. Miami currently has two more roster spots to fill. One of those spots could be saved for long-time Heat player Udonis Haslem if he decides to return. It’s unknown which route Miami will take with Yurtseven. They’re clearly interested in him. The main goal is to make sure he’s locked in for the upcoming season.
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