Will Raja Bell become the latest aging veteran to join the Heat?
After agreeing to a contract buyout with the Jazz, the 35-year-old reportedly wants to explore the possibility of signing with his hometown Heat. Bell played his high school and college basketball in Miami.
The Lakers also could emerge as a potential destination for the guard, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Two years ago, despite being heavily recruited by Kobe Bryant, Bell chose a three-year deal with the Jazz over less money with the Lakers.
With the addition of Steve Nash, the Lakers could use a defensive-minded guard like Bell to play off the bench.
Bell and Nash played together in Phoenix for 3½ seasons until 2008-09, when Bell was traded to the Bobcats. The Suns reached the playoffs each of their three full seasons together.
While Bell’s skills have declined as he’s aged, he is still widely considered one of the NBA’s toughest veteran guards, and he could bring significant value and presence in limited minutes for a contender.
In 34 games for the Jazz last season, Bell averaged 6.4 points, shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 39 percent from behind the arc and 84 percent from the line in 23.4 minutes per game.
