Hotcorner Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Heat to sign Nuggets free agent Doleac at center By Ira Winderman Staff Writer Posted July 13 2004, 11:06 AM EDT A team that a week ago had a glaring void at center now finds itself with veteran depth at the position. As it worked to finalize its trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal, the Heat agreed to terms early Tuesday on a four-year contract with Denver Nuggets free agent Michael Doleac. The outside-shooting center will sign Wednesday for approximately $12 million, with his contract taking up about $2.4 million of the $5.1 million mid-level salary-cap exception the Heat has available to add new players. The Heat also retains a $1.6 million lower-level cap exception. The fourth year of Doleac's contract is a player option. Doleac, 27, made his decision early Tuesday after turning down a slightly larger bid from the New Orleans Hornets. The 6-foot-11 veteran also was considering a return to the Nuggets, as well as another go-round with the New York Knicks. "We had a number of different destinations in mind and we were back and forth with New Orleans, who actually offered more money,'' agent Glenn Schwartzman said. "But playing with Shaq was definitely appealing." As with the O'Neal trade, the Doleac signing will require formal league approval once the league's signing moratorium ends at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The Heat's interest in Doleac dates to last season, when he was available as a free agent following his trade from New York to Atlanta, which immediately waived him. Heat General Manager Randy Pfund held ongoing talks with Schwartzman in recent weeks, including during the Heat's summer-league appearance last week in Orlando. Schwartzman said it was his understanding that Doleac mostly would be utilized as a back-up center to O'Neal, but possibly also could see time at power forward. Only a week ago, it appeared the Heat would have to overpay for such a second-tier talent in the middle, with players such as Mark Blount and Brian Skinner earning in excess of $5 million per year. Instead, the Heat maximized its salary-cap space for a player who also had attracted interest from Boston, Washington and Utah. With Doleac both a shooter and rebounder, it likely will push center Wang Zhi-Zhi further down the Heat's rotation, if the veteran of the Chinese Olympic team even is retained. Doleac was a first-round pick (No. 12 overall) of the Orlando Magic in 1998 out of the University of Utah. He later was traded to Cleveland for Brendan Haywood in 2001, signed with the Knicks as a free agent in 2002, and then was involved in last season's trade with Atlanta that sent center Nazr Mohammed to New York. Interestingly, Doleac's best game of last season came against the Heat, when he scored 18 points for the Knicks in a Jan. 24 meeting. A biology major at Utah, Doleac aspires to attend medical school, with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I think he might end up starting at PF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzie Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 um..yay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaq-Man Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I think he might end up starting at PF. 456288[/snapback] god that would be pathetic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I think he might end up starting at PF. 456288[/snapback] god that would be pathetic 456299[/snapback] Not really.He is a good rebounder and has nice shot.I would like to see Haslem beat him out though and I'm sure he can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 We're getting Shaq How cool is that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc marlin Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I'd like to go to one of the practices to watch Doleac try and guard Shaq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Guapo Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I think he might end up starting at PF. 456288[/snapback] god that would be pathetic 456299[/snapback] agree that would be pretty sad... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzie Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Doleac's Stats In case anyone's wondering Not exactly thrilling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Doleac's Stats In case anyone's wondering Not exactly thrilling... 456319[/snapback] He avg. 10 minutes per game.Like I said he is a good rebounder and has a nice shot(for a big man). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc marlin Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 * Full name is Michael Scott Doleac * Majored in biology at Utah and aspires to attend medical school * Took an independant study course during his rookie season to keep his mind fresh * Aspires to become and orthopedic surgeon * Traveled with Utah to Sweden over the summer of 1997 * Was unrecruited out of high school and decided upon enrolling at Utah after attending a summer basketball camp there * Enjoys reading, fishing and playing chess Fascinating! I hope he breaks his leg. I'm just bitter about '98 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Man Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 i feel good about this singing, its giving depth to the bench here... plus i dont think there was one white guy on the heat last year....so i guess this balances it out...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I'll play for league minimum My 5'6" frame would make a hell of a PF. My leap could make me center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 My initial thoughts regarding this signing: 1) I guess that mess about Shaq bringing in more people is correct. 2) I don't know if I can handle the Heat putting a white guy on the floor. 3) Goodbye fast break, hello bludgeoning other teams to death. 4) The Heat wanted another big man to rebound Shaq's FT misses. It's nice to have a little more front court depth, I guess, but I don't think Michael Doleac is going to put us over the top. Can anyone tell me how his D is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steroid Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I'm hoping Haslem starts at PF because he is quicker and we lost a lot of speed in the Shaq trade, something that made us good last year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I'll play for league minimum My 5'6" frame would make a hell of a PF. My leap could make me center. 456331[/snapback] :deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyMountainMarlin Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Lame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odom006 Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 he played 10 minz a game last year and got 5 points and 4 boards a game..... im cool with that...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzie Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I don't know if Doleac will end up being starting PF, I'm thinking he'll come off the bench and play mostly as Shaq's replacement and some time at the 4. Allen has a nice baseline jumper and a nice hook but Haslem is stronger and a better rebounder. I don't know, there's still a lot of question marks for the season. All we basically know right now that Wade, EJ, and Shaq make up 3 starters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 I wish somehow they could sign and trade for Stormile Swift. Hes a restricted free agent and has a lot of upside at the 4 position he would fit nicely with us but he's probably to expensive for our blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastie Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 The heat are now looking for guys who can shoot and Doleac has a sweet jumper for big man. But Hopefully we sign Malone, I think he would be a perfect fit because he would do anything to win in this point in his career and would play for the veteren minimum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rferry Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Front line depth is always nice. There's worst options out there (Brendan Hayward, sorry Tar Heels fans). If I were the Heat I'd try an young athletic body to play next to Shaq. Helps the kid, helps Shaq, helps the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc marlin Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Front line depth is always nice. There's worst options out there (Brendan Hayward, sorry Tar Heels fans). 456422[/snapback] You've gotta be kidding me. Anyone who would prefer Doleac over Haywood is crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rferry Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 When I saw 'last post by nc_marlin' I knew you were going to catch me on that. Haywood's a stiff, Doleac's atleast costs the Heat more than half as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc marlin Posted July 13, 2004 Share Posted July 13, 2004 Next year Haywood will make $1,735,305 whereas Doleac will make 2.4 mill. Last year Haywood averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game in about 20 minutes a game compared to Doleac who averaged close to 15 minutes a game 4.5 points and 3.7 RPG and only .5 blocks a game. Haywood is a few years younger as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.