The Miami Heat must choose which young players to develop further and which to part ways with as they assess their Summer League achievements.
This is a result of the Heat’s tight roster. Miami’s three two-way roster spaces are all that remain of its flexibility because the team has 14 players under contract and there isn’t enough space below the second apron to add another to a regular roster place.
Two-way contracts are interchangeable, unlike conventional contracts, and thus are not subject to the luxury tax or wage cap.
Keshad Johnson, Zyon Pullin, and Dru Smith are now manning the Heat’s two-way spots. However, it might change at any time, and following the team’s run to the summer league championship, the front staff will reassess the situation.
Here are four players the Heat should keep developing and three that might not be worth the effort, regardless of whether these players wind up signing two-way contracts or are added to the team’s G League club in Sioux Falls.
Develop: Keshad Johnson
Keshad Johnson was averaging 10 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this summer before he hurt his ankle. More significantly, Johnson seems to be Miami’s go-to guy—someone who hustles and takes care of the little things that aren’t seen on the scoreboard.
He undoubtedly brings to mind the contributions that Caleb Martin made for Miami. Long-term development and retention of Johnson would make great sense, considering the success of Martin’s development.
Develop: Josh Christopher
The summer league has been all about the 2021 first-round pick. The 22-year-old is hoping to make a return to the NBA and has been training with Miami and Sioux Falls since May. With a summer league average of 18.4 points per game and strong defensive play, Christopher is ready.
If Miami didn’t offer Christopher a two-way contract, that would be dumb. With further improvement, Christopher has shown to be a reliable member of Miami’s bench in all of the team’s summer league contests.
Develop: Isaiah Stevens
Isaiah Stevens has been Miami’s standout summer league player. He is a superb facilitator, dishing up 8.2 assists a game on average. In addition, Stevens has demonstrated an amazing ability to score, making 70% of his three-point tries (although on a limited sample).
He has said he looks up to Chris Paul and plays somewhat like Kyle Lowry. This is a conventional point guard who finally replaced Zyon Pullin in the starting lineup.
Stevens is one of the players that might be offered a two-way deal; if he can improve his scoring consistency, he might compete for playing time in the rotation in the upcoming seasons.
Develop: Cole Swider
The Syracuse shooting specialist Cole Swider may be coming to the end of his career with the Heat. The previous season, Swider was granted a two-way contract by the Heat. His resemblance to Duncan Robinson suggests that he has promise, but as an unrestricted free agent, it may be difficult to hold him given the impressive summertime performances of players like Josh Christopher and Isaiah Stevens.
In summer league, Swider made 49% of his three-pointers; nevertheless, he still needs to improve his off-the-dribble technique and defensive stamina. However, in this league, shooting is highly valued, and if not the Heat, then someone else will be eager to give him an opportunity.
Move on: Zyon Pullin
Zyon Pullin, who had an amazing 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio in college, was a fascinating potential for Miami. But in Las Vegas, he was up against NBA-caliber players, and this summer, his assist-to-turnover ratio dropped to 1:1.
Pullin, who was benched in favor of Stevens, doesn’t seem NBA ready. Unless he receives a two-way contract offer from another team, he will probably join the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Move on: Alondes Williams
Alondes Williams is a promising young player who can effectively distribute the ball and score at all three levels. As a two-way player with Miami last season, he was named the G League’s Most Improved Player.
Williams has already had numerous opportunities to secure an NBA roster spot with the Nets and the Heat, despite averaging 10 points per game this summer. Williams is free to sign with another team since Miami has withdrawn his qualifying offer.
Although Williams is liked by the Heat, he might search for a different opportunity to compete for a spot on a roster that is less crowded.
Move on: Dru Smith
Since suffering an ACL injury that ended his season, Dru Smith has been mainly forgotten. Prior to the injury, he had a significant role in a few of Miami’s early-season victories. He scored nine points against the Hawks and twelve points in a comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs, both games coming up short of Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
Despite their earlier interest in Smith, the Heat may need to focus on developing other guards given the performance of other guards in the summer league and the uncertainty surrounding his ACL injury.
