The Miami Heat have agreed to sign free-agent center Nick Richards to a one-year contract, according to Shams Charania. The deal fills Miami’s 14th standard roster spot after the team recently added Klay Thompson.

Richards, 28, split the 2025-26 season between the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls, appearing in 48 games and averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game. His production increased after arriving in Chicago, where he averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22.4 minutes across 20 appearances.

The 6-foot-11 center gives Miami another traditional interior option following an offseason that reshaped its frontcourt. The Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, pairing him with Bam Adebayo while sending Kel’el Ware to Milwaukee in the trade.

Ware had averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 77 games last season, leaving Miami with a need for additional size behind Adebayo. Richards brings six seasons of NBA experience and has built his role around rebounding, interior finishing and rim protection.

His career 62.1% field-goal percentage reflects his shot profile around the basket. Richards also averaged at least 8.0 rebounds per game in each of his two largest NBA roles, posting 8.0 boards per game in 2023-24 and 8.2 in 2024-25.

With Chicago last season, Richards averaged 2.1 offensive rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 52.3% from the field. Those numbers point to the areas where he can complement Miami’s primary frontcourt players rather than replicate their offensive responsibilities.

The Heat finished 43-39 and 10th in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 before entering the Play-In Tournament. Their offseason has since centered on rebuilding the roster around the Antetokounmpo-Adebayo pairing, with Thompson and Richards added as veteran depth.

Richards had already been working out with Heat players at Kaseya Center before the agreement. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported Wednesday that Miami had discussed signing Richards but that no deal had been completed at that point.