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Miami Heat sign guard Javonte Smart to two-way contract

The Miami Heat have signed guard Javonte Smart to a two-way contract.

Smart, who was originally signed by Miami on September 10 and waived on October 15, has appeared in 11 games (all starts) this season with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging a team-leading 21.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.73 steals and 37.1 minutes while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the foul line. Earlier this season, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, appearing in 13 games (one start) averaging 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.3 minutes of action.

Smart previously appeared in six Summer League games with the HEAT and averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a total +10 plus/minus. He shot 80 percent (4-of-5) from the foul line, dished out multiple assists five times and scored in double-figures twice. Smart played three seasons at Louisiana State, becoming just the seventh player in school history to record at least 1,200 points, 300 assists and 111 steals. Among the Tiger’s all-time lists, he finished 11th in assists, 12th in three-point field goals made, 23rd in steals and 31st in points. In his final year as a junior, Smart started in all 28 games and averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.25 steals and 35.0 minutes while shooting 46 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the All-Louisiana First Team after leading the conference in three-point field goal percentage and minutes per game. His 70 made three-point field goals were the 13th-most for a single-season in school history.

Smart will wear number 15.

Miami Heat convert Caleb Martin’s contract from two-way to standard

The Miami Heat have converted the two-way contract of Caleb Martin into a standard NBA contract.

Martin, who was originally signed by the HEAT to a two-way contract on September 14, has appeared in 44 games (10 starts) with Miami this season and averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.9 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 21 times, including two 20-point performances, and posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in a win at Atlanta on January 12. He set career highs in points (28), field goals made (9) and three-point field goals made (6) while tying his career high in blocks (2) in a victory on December 8 vs. Milwaukee.

Martin has appeared in 115 career NBA games (14 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 18.6 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. He has also appeared in 28 career G League games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.61 steals and 36.9 minutes while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range. Additionally, Martin helped lead Nevada to a 29-4 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019 as a senior after appearing in 34 games (33 starts) averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.44 steals and 34.1 minutes while leading the team in points, scoring average, steals, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Miami Heat sign forward Haywood Highsmith to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat have signed forward Haywood Highsmith to a 10-day contract.

Highsmith, who was previously signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on December 30, appeared in four games with Miami totaling 12 points, five rebounds and a block in 41:34 minutes of action while shooting 50 percent (4-of-8) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from three-point range. He has also appeared in 17 G League games (11 starts) with the Delaware Blue Coats this season and averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.24 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range.

After spending four seasons at Wheeling University from 2014-18, Highsmith signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, splitting the season between the Sixers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Highsmith appeared in five games with the 76ers in 2018-19 totaling nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal while shooting 40 percent (4-of-10) from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 106 career G League games (76 starts) over three seasons, all with the Blue Coats, averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.18 steals and 29.6 minutes while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.

Highsmith will wear number 24.

Heat trade KZ Okpala to Thunder, who waive Mamadi Diakite

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded for forward KZ Okpala and will receive amendments on the conditions of a previously traded draft pick from the Miami Heat in exchange for the least favorable of its 2026 second-round draft picks.

In a related move, the Thunder has released forward Mamadi Diakite.

Okpala (6-8, 215) has appeared in 21 games this season and is averaging 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He has played in 63 games (nine starts) over three seasons with the Heat and holds career averages of 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game.

The Thunder and Heat will amend the 2023 first-round pick the Heat had previously owed the Thunder, whereas two years of protections will be eliminated, and that pick will now be owed to the Thunder starting in 2025 (1-14 protected) and then will convey as unprotected in 2026.

Erik Spoelstra will coach Team Durant in 2022 NBA All-Star Game

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff will coach Team Durant in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The matchup between Team Durant and Team LeBron will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States and reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 59 languages.

By virtue of the Chicago Bulls’ 119-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers today, the Heat (34-20, .630) clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 6 (today). As a result, Spoelstra has earned a spot as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the second time. He coached the Eastern Conference in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.

Spoelstra is in his 14th season as Miami’s head coach and his 27th season as a member of the Heat organization. He was named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December, marking the ninth time he has won Coach of the Month honors.

The winningest coach in Heat history, Spoelstra has led Miami to two NBA championships, five Eastern Conference championships and 10 playoff appearances. Under Spoelstra, Miami won back-to-back NBA championships in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

Each head coach in the NBA All-Star Game will lead the team that includes the captain from the same conference. Spoelstra will coach the All-Star team captained by Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams previously earned the spot to coach the All-Star team captained by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

Return date for Heat forward Markieff Morris remains unclear

It remains unclear when the Miami Heat will be at full strength. Via the Miami Herald:

Heat forward Markieff Morris, who has been sidelined since Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shoved him to the floor three months ago, wants to play in games but the team still has not cleared him to do so, multiple sources told The Miami Herald this week.

The Heat’s position has left in question when or if the veteran power forward will return to play this season.

Morris’ injury — sustained in that Nov. 8 game in Denver — was termed “whiplash” by the Heat. The Heat is now listing him as out because of a “return to competitive reconditioning.” But the team has declined to discuss his status, what he has been cleared to do physically or whether he will play again this season.

Kyle Lowry set to return for Miami Heat

The Heat will soon have veteran point guard Kyle Lowry back in action. Via the Sun Sentinel:

The breath of fresh air was a familiar face Thursday for the Miami Heat at the morning shootaround in advance of their game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Away from the team for nine games due to personal reasons, point guard Kyle Lowry was back working alongside his teammates for the first time since Jan. 15.

“The shootaround had a great energy to it, just having him back with the group,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I know we were all excited to see him back in here. And I think he just has a great feel being back with the guys, as well.”

Heat re-sign Chris Silva to fourth 10-day contract

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Chris Silva to a 10-day contract, using the COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Silva, who has previously signed three 10-day contracts with the HEAT using the hardship allowance, has appeared in seven games with Miami this season averaging 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 9.0 minutes of action while shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line.

Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “each of Silva’s 10-day contracts has been worth $95,930, bringing his earnings on the four such Heat contracts now to $383,720. He also previously had played under one such emergency contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, after starting the season with their G League affiliate. To put the $479,650 in earnings on Silva’s five 10-day deals into perspective, the Heat’s Caleb Martin ahead of the season signed a two-way contract worth $462,629.”

Earlier this season he appeared in one game with the Minnesota Timberwolves and 12 G League games with the Iowa Wolves where he averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 26.1 minutes while shooting 57.3 percent from the field, leading the team in blocks and free throws made while finishing second in rebounds and field goals made.

Miami Heat re-sign Chris Silva to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Chris Silva to a 10-day contract using the COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Silva, who was recently signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on December 31 and to a second 10-day contract on January 10, has appeared in seven games with Miami this season averaging 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 9.0 minutes of action while shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line. Earlier this season he appeared in one game with the Minnesota Timberwolves and 12 G League games with the Iowa Wolves where he averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 26.1 minutes while shooting 57.3 percent from the field, leading the team in blocks and free throws made while finishing second in rebounds and field goals made.

Miami Heat promote two executives

The HEAT Group announced today the promotions of two executives from Vice President to the level of Senior Vice President: Garrick Amos and Edson Crevecoeur. Amos’s new title will be Senior Vice President, Ticket & Premium Sales & Service, and Crevecoeur’s new title will be Senior Vice President, Strategy & Data Analytics // Chief Operating Officer, 601 Analytics. These promotions further enhance the diversity of voices and talent at the executive level of the business operations division.

“I am very proud to welcome both Garrick and Edson to the executive team of our franchise,” said Eric Woolworth, President of The HEAT Group’s Business Operations. “Both these individuals are respected and proven industry leaders in their fields of expertise and we are lucky to have them.”

Amos joined the HEAT in 2009 as Vice President of Season Ticket Services after a stint with the New Orleans Hornets as their director of fan experience. His professional history encompasses a broad business acumen, which was acquired during his years working in the hotel and hospitality industry. At the HEAT, he previously served as Vice President of Season Ticket Services overseeing 4,000 season ticket accounts. He was later promoted to Assistant General Manager of then-AmericanAirlines Arena, which included managing the operations of the Arena’s food and beverage vendors, Hyde nightclub, 601 (restaurant) as well as the organization’s culture and engagement efforts. He also supervised the Premium Services Department, which includes Premium account holders as well as the Suite Level and AmericanAirlines Lounges.

Amos has been recognized repeatedly throughout his career including earning the NBA’s Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award in 2019, the Miami Transit Authority Award for community excellence (2004) and the City-Community Award bestowed by the Irvin, Texas Chamber of Commerce (2018). During his HEAT tenure, the team has consistently recorded a 90%+ season ticket member renewal rate, which is among the best in the League.

Crevecoeur joined the HEAT in 2014 bringing more than 15 years of expertise in strategy and data analytics. He has helped empower and transform the HEAT and FTX Arena into businesses that make highly informed, data-driven decisions. During his HEAT tenure, Crevecoeur has led the franchise’s transition to cloud-based technologies, integrating information across lines of business into a single source of truth, accessible by the right audience, via the right channels at the right time. He is the architect of 601 Analytics, a proprietary, stand-alone data platform, which now offers its solutions to the sports and live entertainment industry. Because of his work, the HEAT has been recognized as a leader in the technology space by industry giant Microsoft. Prior to joining the HEAT, he served in senior technical and leadership roles on enterprise-scale data initiatives for Fortune 500 companies such as SunGard Higher Education, Glaxo-Smith Kline and Viacom.