With designated gunslinger off the bench Mike Miller sidelined until January with a thumb injury, the Miami Heat have signed veteran wing Jerry Stackhouse to a deal, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
The move got approval from the other Heat players.“I think he proved last year, coming back with the Bucks, that he’s a very productive player,” (Dwyane) Wade said.
“A tough guy, a professional, and a veteran with a very high basketball IQ,” (Udonis Haslem) said.
Players also said he moved well Saturday, although he did not get to practice with the team (he will Sunday).
Stackhouse, 36 and entering his 16th NBA season, came back last season for 42 games with the Milwaukee Bucks and did a good job shooting the rock from distance — he hit 43 percent of his shots from 16 feet out to the arc and 34.6 percent from three. Which was a bit of a surprise because Stackhouse has never been known as a shooter from deep, hitting 30 percent from three for his career. But like Jason Kidd, Stackhouse seems to have developed the shot as he has gotten older and can’t blow by people as easily. Stackhouse’s percentages are not nearly the numbers of Miller (48 percent from three last season) but if Stackhouse shoots the same as last season it will be solid and respectable.
Considering the situation, it was about as good a pickup as the Heat could make. Plus, he can sing the national anthem for them one night.
Now the question is who will be cleared off the Heat roster to make way for Stackhouse (the Heat were already at 16 in camp). Two of these three will be cut: point guard Patrick Beverley, injured forward Da’Sean Butler and center Jamaal Magloire. Beverley likely seems gone, but for the last roster spot do the Heat go with another big man or the injured rookie who shows promise down the line but will contribute little if anything this season?