Cody Zeller eager to prove he belongs with Heat after playing NBA waiting game

As the No. 4 pick in the 2013 draft, Cody Zeller has played 505 games over his NBA career. That’ s what makes this opportunity with the Miami Heat particularly rewarding for the 6- foot-11 center, realizing that even when gone from the court he was not forgotten. Since then, he underwent knee surgery while with the Portland Trail Blazers, was waived on Feb. 8, 2022 as part...

As the No. 4 pick in the 2013 draft, Cody Zeller has played 505 games over his NBA career.

But until this season, he had never played the waiting game.

That’s what makes this opportunity with the Miami Heat particularly rewarding for the 6-foot-11 center, realizing that even when gone from the court he was not forgotten.

Signed this week to a veteran minimum contract for the balance of the season, Zeller last played in the NBA on Jan. 10, 2022. Since then, he underwent knee surgery while with the Portland Trail Blazers, was waived on Feb. 8, 2022 as part of the Blazers’ trade of veteran guard CJ McCollum, was cut from Utah Jazz training camp in November, and had been training with the UNC-Charlotte team since.

“So I basically treated it as if I was with a team as far as working out as much as possible,” he said Wednesday.

All while wondering whether there would be a 10th NBA season.

“I’ve had people tell me throughout my career that enjoy it while it lasts because it goes by quick,” he said ahead of Thursday’s first full practice with the Heat. “And I think that kind of hit me even more, that I hope I haven’t taken it for granted throughout my career. But being away from it, I’m like, ‘Man, those are good times.’

“I think I was even more and more thankful for this opportunity after being away from it because it’s kind of a refreshed perspective on this is really special just to be in the NBA.”

For the Heat, in the heat of the Eastern Conference playoff race, the signing transcends feel-good stories. It is about reinjecting bulk into the power rotation. That’s what sold coach Erik Spoelstra and Heat president Pat Riley on the move.

“I think rebounding, I think toughness, that’s what I’ve always prided myself on,” Zeller said, “which it fits in well with the culture here. I talked a lot with coach Spoelstra and Pat Riley when I came to work out here about how I’ve hated playing the Heat throughout my whole career, because you always know it’s going to be a tough game, you always know it’s going to be hard-playing guys, it’s going to be a physical game, set the tone early.

“That’s how it’s been my whole career for 10 years in the NBA. So it’s kind of fun for me to be on the other side of it, to be able to add to that and to kind of be able to be on the other side of it.”

An added bonus is a reunion with former Indiana Hoosier teammate Victor Oladipo, who went No. 2 out of Indiana in that 2013 draft, after the two spent two collegiate seasons together.

“It’s pretty special,” Zeller said. “Vic and I are really close. We obviously spent a lot of time together back in college. We try to see each other. Even last year, I was in Portland and he was in Miami, we saw each other once during the season. We try to get dinner the night before if we play against each other. So yeah, he’s played for so many different teams and I’ve played for so many different teams, so we didn’t imagine the stars would align and we both would end up here in Miami. But it will be fun to reconnect with him.

“I got dinner with him [Tuesday] night. It was only my second night here in Miami, but I was able to see his place and kind of catch up with him.”

And then Saturday, there will be more reunions, the second game of the Heat’s impending three-game trip a game against the Charlotte Hornets, Zeller’s team for his first eight seasons.

“I’ve played only twice in the playoffs, against the Heat both times, including that seven-game series a few years ago,” he said of his time with the Hornets. “Those are some of my favorite games in my career.”

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