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Source: ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines -- After a long wait in free agency, Erick Dampier may be close to getting a contract with the Miami Heat.

Sources say Dampier, who spent the past 6 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, has emerged as the Heat's top choice to replace Udonis Haslem.

Dampier has a career average of 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

His presence inside the paint is expected to bolster Miami’s defense.

The Heat would have to release a player to make room to sign Dampier to a 1-year deal believed to be worth the league's $1.4 million veteran minimum.

Haslem went down with a torn ligament in his left foot on Saturday, which will sideline him for at least 6 weeks, and likely, much longer.

Haslem, whose 8.2 rebounds a game are the most of any National Basketball Association (NBA) non-starter, suffered the injury in a 97-95 loss Saturday at Memphis when he fell backward onto the floor trying in vain to draw a foul against Zach Randolph of Memphis.

"We lose a warrior," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Medical tests Monday showed the need for surgery that will sideline Haslem far longer than hoped, even though he had to be carried off the floor Saturday.

"I knew it was probably something a little more serious when he couldn't get up," Spoelstra said.