Miami Heat Backup Center Omer Yurtseven Set To Become A Free Agent

The Miami Heat decline qualifying offer to center Omer Yurtseven

The Omer Yurtseven era for the Miami Heat appears over. 

Yurtseven becomes a free agent Saturday after the Heat decided against extending a qualifying offer. He fell out of the rotation last season, losing playing time to backup center Cody Zeller. 

After a promising rookie center in 2021-22, Yurtseven played sparingly last season. He averaged just 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.4  minutes. As a rookie, he averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. 

He had one stretch of four straight games with at least 15 rebounds, becoming the first rookie to accomplish it since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992. The Heat still have the opportunity to re-sign Yurtseven but the fact they declined the qualifying offer means they are ready to look elsewhere for a backup. 

The Heat now have to decide what to do with Zeller and Kevin Love, who are both set to become free agents. 

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