Center Nick Richards agrees to join Miami Heat on one-year deal

This was expected. Nick Richards had been working out in the Heat facility for a while, it was just a question of timing.

Now with the Klay Thompson signing complete, the Heat and Richards have come to terms on a one-year deal for Richards to be a backup center behind Bam Adebayo , the team announced Wednesday . This contract is not fully guaranteed until the season opens, notes Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel . The Heat did the same thing a year ago with Precious Achiuwa , and it gives them flexibility if a player they are interested in becomes available.

Richardson will be the third center on the roster, playing behind Adebayo and Bobby Portis .

Richardson is a six-year NBA veteran, originally a second-round pick out of Kentucky. Last season, he split time between Phoenix and Chicago , appearing in 48 games and averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

This signing also puts the Heat at 14 standard contracts, which could be their roster heading into the season. They have the cap space to add a 15th player on a minimum contract, and veteran guard Gabe Vincent has been mentioned, but the Heat may choose to keep that roster spot open and see what develops. The non-guaranteed nature of Richardson's contract, and the fact that only $500,000 of Myron Gardner 's $2.6 million deal is guaranteed, gives the Heat flexibility.

The Heat also agreed to bring back Keshad Johnson on a two-way contract (he was on a standard contract with the team last season), Winderman reports.