Making an upgrade at the center position is a top priority for the Miami Heat this summer, and the team is reportedly giving another audition at Eddy Curry, the NBA's human punch line.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the Heat are taking a close look at Curry, who worked out with the team last week. Though he has underachieved throughout his 9-year career, he would likely sign for the veteran minimum, a plus for a team with so little free-agent money to spend.
This is not the first time Miami has worked out Curry. After he was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 1 the Heat auditioned him, but passed, along with every other team in the league.
The 6'11", 285-pound Curry fits the bill for the kind of big body that could be a presence in the paint against opposing offenses. However, he does have a reputation for being out of shape, something Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and President Pat Riley are unlikely to tolerate.
The Heat are sure to explore additional options. Under NBA rules, they cannot work out free agents who finished the season on a team roster until Friday.
Of course, most observers expect NBA owners to impose a lockout Friday after the current collective bargaining agreement expires, so it could be awhile before the team works out any other centers.
Even so, this is merely the first step in finding the Heat's answer at center, and if the team ends up signing someone else, it would not be a huge surprise.
David Hill is a Miami native and the former owner of a youth replica Rony Seikaly jersey.
