Late-season additions to NBA teams, the kind made through buyouts and waivers after the trade deadline, usually don’t make much difference. Mike Bibby gave back $6.2 million last year to join Miami and played only an inconsequential backcourt role as the Heat went to the NBA Finals.
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But Ronny Turiaf could have a bigger impact in South Beach this season after being waived by Denver and signing with the Heat.
Turiaf would’ve made a difference with the Wizards — who desperately need his smarts and toughness in the paint — if he hadn’t injured the same left hand he hurt over the summer. Then again, if Turiaf had been around, maybe Washington wouldn’t have traded him and JaVale McGee to the Nuggets in the first place. The Wizards have no regret in that department.
With the Heat, Turiaf could provide exactly what Washington had hoped he’d give. The only difference is that he’ll also play with the “Big Three,” who have seemingly always been a center and a point guard away from a title. Now they have a center.
– Craig Stouffer
