Zyon Pullin, a promising guard, may end up with Miami’s G League affiliate after the Miami Heat signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal on Monday.
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed guard Zyon Pullin. pic.twitter.com/SypbxhS5ah
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 5, 2024
Ira Winderman of the Heat reports that Pullin will probably get guaranteed money from the organization and won’t be able to sign with another team. This makes it possible for the Heat to retain Pullin as a G League option rather than having him sign with a another team this offseason.
The Heat have brought undrafted Florida guard Zyon Pullin back on an Exhibit 10 camp tryout contract. It means he cannot be signed away by another team and likely means some guaranteed money and then direct assignment to the Heat's G League affiliate.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) August 5, 2024
Pullin signed a two-way contract with the Heat going into Summer League, but Miami ultimately waived him to make room for Josh Christopher, a former first-round choice, to sign a two-way contract.
Christopher helped Miami win a championship in Las Vegas after having a fantastic Summer League performance.
The Heat has signed guard Zyon Pullin to an Exhibit 10 contract. Pullin was on a two-way deal with the Heat for summer league, but was waived in late July to make room for Josh Christopher’s two-way deal.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) August 5, 2024
Pullin will now have another opportunity to make an impression on the front office and coaching staff of the Heat. Should the Heat provide a roster slot for him in 2024–25, he may potentially sign a contract with the team.
For the time being, the G League seems to be the most likely destination for the former University of Florida guard.
Pullin had some outstanding stats at Florida in the 2023–24 campaign. He shot 44.4 percent from the field and 44.9 percent from outside the arc, averaging 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
Having started his college career at the University of California, Riverside, Pullin proved during his one season at Florida that he could produce at a high level in a larger conference. With two All-Big West selections and one All-SEC selection under his belt, Pullin’s resume is undoubtedly remarkable as he moves into the professional levels.
Pullin might be the next guy to join the Heat’s roster of undrafted players who wind up making a significant contribution. The team has a history of doing so.
Guard Gabe Vincent, who spent four seasons at the University of California, Santa Barbara in the Big West Conference, is actually one of the solid guards that Miami has previously identified. After assisting Miami in making it to the NBA Finals in 2022–2023 Vincent got a big free agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
If Pullin can live up to his Exhibit 10 deal and eventually establish himself as a valuable member of the team, the Heat would be overjoyed.
Jimmy Butler ought to be leaving Miami with one foot out the door.
Since his arrival in South Beach in 2019, Jimmy Butler has been the center of attention for the Miami Heat. He has led this team to two NBA Finals and three Conference Finals, and he has contributed significantly to Miami’s overall success. But with his stellar performance at the 2024 Olympics and his subsequent three-year, $166 million contract extension, it seems the Heat are prepared to reassess and make Bam Adebayo the team’s face.
Butler would not sign a contract extension with the Miami Heat or any other team before his opt-out clause expires in 2025, according to a June report from The Athletic. When reporters questioned Pat Riley about Butler’s deal this past May, he appeared hesitant to commit to him. In response to a question on Butler’s extension, Riley said, “That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night.”
The truth is that availability is the best skill, and although Butler played 60 games in the previous season, Adebayo played 71. Butler’s 35th birthday falls before the new season begins. Conversely, Adebayo recently turned 27. One could legitimately argue that, as the Olympics this year have shown, Bam is beginning to enter his genuine prime while Jimmy is nearing the end of his career.
This summer, Butler was qualified for a $113 million, two-year deal. He can, however, obtain additional years on an even more expensive contract if he waits until the summer of next year. Butler will have the choice of a three-year contract worth $171 million with another team or a four-year extension worth $243 million with his current team after opting out, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
When healthy, Butler remains one of the top two-way players in the modern game. His tenure in Miami has been extraordinary. In Game 4 of the 2023 Playoffs, he scored 56 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, setting a franchise record. He’s earned the moniker “Playoff Jimmy” and solidified his status as one of the greatest competitors to ever pass through South Beach in the eyes of Heat supporters. However, everything good has to end. And if Butler and Adebayo could maintain the Heat’s competitiveness without constantly stepping on each other’s toes? Just imagine the potential this team would have with a small retooling.
Remember that Jimmy Butler spent six seasons with the Chicago Bulls before leaving. There’s a lot riding on Jimmy as he gets ready for his sixth—and maybe final—season with the Heat. In keeping with Jimmy Butler’s approach, he is placing a wager on himself. Overall, it will be intriguing to watch how Miami’s season plays out.
