Heat coach Erik Spoelstra not surprised to see Sixers sign Dewayne Dedmon
MIAMI–Dewayne Dedmon has yet to play for the Philadelphia 76ers after he was picked up in the buyout market, but when he does eventually get on the floor, the idea is that he will provide some size off the bench behind Joel Embiid.
Dedmon has yet to play due to left hip tightness as he continues to work his way back onto the floor, but when he is able to get back at it, one has to figure that he will get an opportunity to play for this group (unless Paul Reed has anything to say about it).
Before signing with the Sixers, Dedmon played 30 games for the Miami Heat. He played 113 games for Miami across three seasons and he provided some good minutes for them off the bench before he was sent to the San Antonio Spurs and then subsequently waived.
“Dewayne’s a pro,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “We really enjoyed our time with Dewayne. He was really important for us when we first signed him and then last year, when he was healthy, he gave us great minutes, and fit who we are. He’s tough, he’s physical, and he’s a great defensive voice. He can really communicate well.”
Dedmon shot 40.4% from deep in the 2021-22 season for the Heat, albeit on 0.7 attempts per game mostly as a trailer in transition. One has to wonder how much he has left considering the plantar fasciitis he had at the beginning of the season and the hip injury now, but his size and toughness are obvious reasons why the Sixers signed him.
“You can see why they signed him,” Spoelstra added. “He’s another guy with presence in the paint with size, but he’s a really enjoyable guy. He’s a really funny guy behind the scenes. Most people don’t get to see that side of him, we did, and that was probably one of the pleasant surprises of developing that relationship and seeing his humor.”
