Miami Heat interested in signing former Gilas import Blatche

Could Andray Blatche return to the NBA and join the Miami Heat? AFP file photo

MANILA, Philippines—It looks like Andray Blatche could return to the NBA.

Blatche, who was the middle man of the Gilas Pilipinas during the Fiba World Cup, could settle in the warm Florida coast as the Miami Heat is said to be interested in signing the 6-foot-11 big man.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the three-time NBA Champions are looking to pick up Blatche to fill in their center spot which is lacking the offensive punch to compete with other teams.

“Heat have Andray Blatche in their sights after Josh Smith wound up choosing Houston  to team up with pal Dwight Howard,” Stein posted on Twitter Saturday.

Trouble is, Blatche would still play in China with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association until February.

“Heat need a big sooner or later,” Stein said.

Miami has been playing Chris Bosh as a stretch center, though the lanky big is a natural power forward, since his arrival in South Beach in 2010 with LeBron James to form the Heat “Big 3” with long-time Heat Dwyane Wade.

Heat’s other center is Chris Andersen but the Birdman is not necessarily a low post threat.

Blatche last played in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets where he averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

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