Heat send Pittman, pick to Grizzlies
Share This Story
MIAMI (AP)
The Miami Heat now have an open roster spot, just in case someone comes along and intrigues the reigning NBA champions before the season enters the home stretch.
And in return, the Memphis Grizzlies got a big man.
The Heat sent backup center Dexter Pittman and a second-round pick in this year's draft to the Grizzlies on Thursday for the rights to center Ricky Sanchez. The teams struck the deal not long before the NBA's 3 p.m. trading deadline, with the Grizzlies using a trade exception to make the deal a reality.
''I want to thank Dexter for his hard work and professional attitude,'' Heat President Pat Riley said in a release distributed by the team. ''Unfortunately, in order to gain roster flexibility we had to trade someone. We wish him nothing but the best.''
Miami now has 14 players on its roster, one under the league maximum. Sanchez, who is playing in Argentina, will not count against the team's roster unless the Heat bring him to the team - which is not expected to happen.
Having the extra spot could allow Miami to add someone later this season, possibly another inside player to get minutes now or a project for future years. The Heat could also simply do nothing with the open roster slot. In past years, Miami has used late-season roster flexibility to add players like Mike Bibby and Ronny Turiaf for playoff pushes.
''We've proven that we have enough anywhere, anyplace, anytime,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said before the Heat played at Chicago on Thursday. ''It's been about consistency with us, and that'll be the challenge again tonight.''
Pittman appeared in only four games this season for Miami, where he was often either on the inactive list or playing for the team's Sioux Falls affiliate in the NBA Development League.
Over Pittman's three seasons, he played in 41 games, almost all as a reserve, and averaged 2.8 points.
Memphis was looking to add another inside player after sending backup center Hamed Haddadi to Toronto as part of the deal that had Rudy Gay leaving the Grizzlies for the Raptors last month.
''We'll always be grateful for Pitt and his contribution to our championship last year,'' Spoelstra said. ''Pitt's a young talent we enjoyed developing. This move is really about roster flexibility.''
---
AP sports writer Andrew Seligman in Chicago contributed to this report.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Tulloch: Young knows he has disorder
Titus Young, whose three arrests in two weeks raised concern for his mental health, r... -
Akron CB arrested in robbery case
Seth Cunningham, a senior cornerback at the University of Akron, was arrested this we... -
Oxbow goes wire to wire in Preakness
Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown. -
Williams' dispute with ex continues
An initial attempt to settle a lawsuit between Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Will... -
'Melo, Knicks were destined to fail
Carmelo's hero complex, one-man scheme fails New York yet again.
NBA Videos
Spurs 'D' key against Memphis bigs
Posted: May 19, 2013
Gregg Popovich on the Spurs defense against the Grizzlies.
Gregg Popovich on the Spurs defense against the Grizzlies.
Pacers finish Knicks in 6
Posted: May 19, 2013
Frank Vogel and David West on the Pacers' series-clinching win over the Knicks.
Frank Vogel and David West on the Pacers' series-clinching win over the Knicks.
Horow: Kings staying put
Posted: May 19, 2013
Rick Horrow on the Kings staying in Sacramento, the future of basketball in Seat...
Rick Horrow on the Kings staying in Sacramento, the future of basketball in Seat...
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/491845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Revolution 30 Performance Jersey - Red |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/620470/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_620000/ff_620470_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | adidas Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey.. |
| Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Antonio_Spurs/browse/featuredproduct/692239/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692239_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness San Antonio Spurs Black Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
| Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/851828/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851828_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Logo Man T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/851842/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851842_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Logo Man T-Shirt - White |
| adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/890174/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890174_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | adidas Miami Heat 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Wh.. |
| adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room Flex Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_City_Thunder/browse/featuredproduct/890384/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_890000/ff_890384_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.99 | adidas Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 NBA Western Conference Champions Locker Room F.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.