Ronny Turiaf was polite when he answered the telephone this afternoon.
“It’s not a good time to talk. I’m taking my physical,” the 7-foot Frenchman told SheridanHoops.com.
After being traded by the Washington Wizards and waived by the Denver Nuggets, Turiaf has signed with the Miami Heat to add some depth to their weakest position. Agent Mark Bartelstein said 10 teams had expressed interest in signing the veteran.
Whether Turiaf can remain healthy enough to contribute remains an open question, but he will join a team that was without usual starter Joel Anthony (sprained ankle) in last night’s 99-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Miami has been using Dexter Pittman and Eddy Curry to fill the position in dire times of need (and in garbage time), and Udonis Haslem typically mans the position in fourth quarters.
Turiaf, a six-year veteran, underwent surgery on his broken left hand nearly three months ago. He was acquired by the Wizards along with $3 million in cash from the New York Knicks in the three-way preseason sign-and-trade deal that sent Tyson Chandler from Dallas to the Knicks.
Turiaf averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 64 games for New York last season.
This article wrongly identifies Turiaf as being 7 feet tall. Try more like 6’9 if he’s lucky