Erick Dampier started the summer on the Dallas Mavericks. Since then, he's been traded to the Charlotte Bobcats, only to be released due to his $13 million fully non-guaranteed contract. Needing work, the 34-year old center looks to have turned to the one contending team that needed him: the Miami Heat.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that Dampier is about to sign with the Heat.

Erick Dampier actually has gone through meet-and-greet process, and it now appears as if his signing is imminent, if not already done.    

If true, this is a big deal for the Heat, who lack a center that can soak up minutes and defend top post options. Dampier is long known for being the posted boy for underachievement, but even though he was overpaid in Dallas, he was still a solid defensive player, a good offensive rebounder and a passable guy at plugging the middle. Miami's biggest weakness before this move was interior defense, and Dampier helps solve that.

Dampier would have to sign for the veterans' minimum, since the Heat forfeited all their salary-cap exceptions to clear enough room for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

SB Nation's Heat blog Peninsula is Mightier has more on the possibility of Dampier coming to Miami here.