Heat trade Dexter Pittman and second-rounder to Memphis

Dexter Pittman might get more playing time with Memphis. (Getty Images)

The Miami Heat have agreed to send seldom-used center Dexter Pittman and a second-round pick to Memphis for the rights to center Ricky Sanchez.

Pittman, drafted in the second round in 2010 by the Heat, has played sparingly in Miami, appearing in only 41 total games over three seasons.

The main motivation for the Heat dealing him along with the pick was likely the small trade exception.

Pittman's a big body at 6-11 and 285 pounds but has never materialized into anything more than that. He's a raw player who hasn't found a way to really contribute. The Grizzlies have a little extra room in their frontcourt for depth security and probably don't mind trying him out to develop behind Marc Gasol.

Pittman, though, is slotted to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Pittman, 24, holds career averages of 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds.