Miami Heat center Omer Yurtseven is expected to miss three months due to left ankle surgery. Yurtseven is expected to undergo surgery this week after consulting multiple experts on his ankle injury.

Miami has been listing Yurtseven as out due to impingement in the ankle. Sources indicate that is being caused by bone spurs. Yurtseven hasn't played since the Heat's preseason opener due to the persistent soreness. It's a big loss for Miami, as Yurtseven was expected to be a rotation player ahead of restricted free agency this coming summer.

The Heat will waive Two-Way guard Dru Smith and will replace him with center Orlando Robinson on a Two-Way deal. That will give Miami some extra frontcourt depth while Yurtseven recovers.

The Heat have an open roster spot, but aren't far enough below the luxury tax line to fill it without going into the tax. Wanting to avoid being a taxpayer may keep Miami from filling that opening until much later in the season.