Heat Big Man To Have Surgery, Miss 3 Months

It appears that the Miami Heat will be without one of their big men for a significant portion of the season, if not the entire year. Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald is reporting that Omer Yurtseven is expected to undergo surgery on his ankle this week. 

The report states that bone spurs are the cause of the ankle problems and Chiang says that, after surgery, Yurtseven will likely be sidelined for three months. That could still leave him time to return sometime in March. 

Miami has already made a move to bring in another big man.

With Omer Yurtseven expected to miss more time, the Heat is waiving guard Dru Smith from his two-way contract and plan to sign center Orlando Robinson to a two-way deal. https://t.co/asrTfRNXGN

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) November 13, 2022

Undrafted 7-footer Orlando Robinson, out of Fresno State, has been signed to a two-way contract. In turn, the Heat have waived guard Dru Smith to make room for the center.  

Yurtseven was expected to be a key member of the Heat's rotation this season, providing solid backup minutes to starting center Bam Adebayo. The 24-year-old averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in just 12 minutes per game in his rookie season last year. Dwane Dedmon is now the only other center on the Heat roster with NBA experience. 

Yurtseven, who'll be a restricted free agent after the season, hasn't played since the Heat's preseason opener due to persistent soreness in the ankle. 

Photo: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports