Miami Heat Blog – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Miami Heat waive DJ Stewart, Javonte Smart, Micah Potter and Dru Smith

The Miami Heat have waived Micah Potter, Javonte Smart, Dru Smith and DJ Stewart.

Potter, who was originally signed by the HEAT on September 10, appeared in three preseason games with Miami and averaged 10.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 24.0 minutes.

Smart, who was originally signed by the HEAT on September 10, appeared in five preseason games with Miami and averaged 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 18.1 minutes.

Smith, who was originally signed by the HEAT on September 10, appeared in three preseason games with Miami and averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 12.7 minutes.

Stewart, who was originally signed by the HEAT on August 16, appeared in four preseason games with Miami and averaged 4.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 17.1 minutes.

Heat guard Tyler Herro off to good start in preseason

Heat guard Tyler Herro got off to a strong start in preseason today. Via the Sun Sentinel:

There was a time when Tyler Herro was the walking embodiment of Miami Heat trade rumors.

Such as at March’s NBA trading deadline. Then August’s start of offseason personnel period.

And then there are nights such as Monday’s 125-99 preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks at FTX Arena, when a reminder was offered of what remains in place and what just a calendar year earlier helped fuel the Heat to within two victories of the 2020 NBA title.

With Jimmy Butler given the night off for rest, Herro scored 16 first-quarter points on the way to 26 in 26 minutes, in a display that bodes promising for what is expected to be a sixth-man role.

It was an encouraging opening statement for the Heat in an exhibition that included several, including a heartening Heat debut by Kyle Lowry, offensive consistency from Bam Adebayo and encouraging moments from Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and even Omer Yurtseven and KZ Okpala.

On Goran Dragic no longer being a member of the Miami Heat

For the first time in a long time, the Miami Heat will be taking the court without guard Goran Dragic on the roster. Via the Miami Herald:

“At the end of the day, this is a bottom line business. It’s about winning,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said in advance of Monday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks at FTX Arena. “But you really also want to be able to develop meaningful lasting relationships. That’s the part that you treasure the most. That’s the most gratifying in this profession for all of us, when you have these shared experiences that build incredible memories.

“That’s what I have with Goran. I think back to obviously the really competitive experiences we had in the playoffs. But equally as important and equally as gratifying to me are the trips over to Slovenia and visiting him and his family, and seeing where he was from, how he is and how people respond to him in his country. It was really cool.”

The Heat traded Dragic and center Precious Achiuwa to the Toronto Raptors to acquire six-time All-Star guard Kyle Lowry this past summer. Dragic, 35, publicly expressed his desire to be moved to another team shortly after the deal was made, but Toronto has yet to fulfill his request and the affable Dragic is preparing to begin the season with the Raptors.

Miami Heat expand Ruth Riley Hunter’s role, add her to basketball operations department

The Miami Heat announced today that Ruth Riley Hunter will expand her current broadcast role and serve as Broadcast Analyst & Basketball Analytics/Player Programs Manager.

Riley Hunter, an Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time WNBA Champion, WNBA Finals MVP, NCAA Champion, Sports Business Leader, Global Humanitarian and a 2019 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee will add basketball analytics and other Basketball Operations related duties to her current broadcast role where she will begin her fourth season serving as the team’s radio analyst on all home games as well as a television studio analyst for all home and road games. Since being drafted by the Miami Sol after graduating from Notre Dame Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology in 2001, she has garnered a wealth of experience and basketball knowledge including a 13-year playing career in the WNBA as well as serving as General Manager of the WNBA’s San Antonio Stars, First Vice President of the WNBA Player’s Association, a NBA/WNBA Ambassador and Global Director of the NBA Academy’s Women’s Program.

In her time as General Manager of the Stars, Riley Hunter governed the team’s business and financial operations, implemented strategic planning, managed all team personnel decisions and captained the basketball operations staff, coaching staff and scouts. In addition to her basketball acumen, she has served as a spokesperson for organizations such as Share Our Strength and the United Nations Foundation and was selected a JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Honoree.

Miami Heat sign Caleb Martin to a two-way contract

The Miami Heat have signed Caleb Martin to a two-way contract.

Per the Miami Herald, “Martin joins undrafted Kansas rookie guard Marcus Garrett as the two Heat players with two-way contracts. Teams can carry up to two players on two-way deals, and those players can be on their NBA team’s active list for as many as 50 regular-season games. Garrett is a former Naismith Defensive Player of the Year with a developing offensive game.”

And per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “because of where the Heat stand against the NBA luxury tax, they are expected to go with only 14 players under standard contract when their regular season opens Oct. 21 at FTX Arena against the Milwaukee Bucks: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, P.J. Tucker, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, Dewayne Dedmon, Markieff Morris, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Victor Oladipo, KZ Okpala, Udonis Haslem and Omer Yurtseven.”

Martin appeared in 53 games (three starts) with the Charlotte Hornets last season and averaged 5.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 15.4 minutes. He scored in double-figures six times, including a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double vs. the Lakers on April 13. He split the previous season between the Hornets and their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, starting in all 28 games he appeared in for the Swarm 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. He led the team in three-point field goals made and finished second in points, scoring average and field goals made.

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.

Heat sign Javonte Smart, Micah Potter and Dru Smith

The Miami Heat have signed Javonte Smart, Micah Potter and Dru Smith.

Per the Miami Herald, the moves give “each a potential opportunity to compete for the second of a pair of two-way contracts.”

Smart 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.

Potter appeared in six Summer League games with the HEAT and averaged 7.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.17 blocks, 1.0 assists and a total +15 plus/minus while shooting 55.9 percent from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line. He posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double while blocking five shots against Dallas on August 17. As a senior at Wisconsin, Potter appeared in 31 games (20 starts) and averaged 12.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 22.2 minutes while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the foul line. He shot 46.9 percent from downtown in conference games, the second-highest percentage in the league and posted five double-doubles on the season, including a season-high 23 points and 12 rebounds at Maryland on January 27.

Smith appeared in six Summer League games with the HEAT and averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.17 steals while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. He recorded multiple steals three times and scored in double-figures twice, first an 11-point effort against the Lakers on August 3 and then a 10-point performance against Dallas on August 17. As a senior at Missouri, Smith started all 25 games he appeared in and averaged 14.1 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.04 steals and 33.9 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 39.8 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-SEC First Team and became the first player in school history to be named to the SEC All-Defensive Team after leading the conference in steals for the second consecutive season. He also led the team in points, assists, steals, field goals made, free throws made and minutes and earned Conference Player of the Week three times, the most by any player that season.

More from the Miami Herald: “Their addition leaves the Heat with 19 players under contract, one below the maximum that a team can carry during training camp.”

Miami Heat sign rookie guard D.J. Stewart

The Miami Heat have signed rookie guard D.J. Stewart.

Stewart, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, has been playing for the Heat at Summer League, including two games played at the California Classic in Sacramento where he averaged 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.00 steals while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and totaled a +14 plus/minus.

He faces an uphill battle when it comes to making the Heat’s regular season roster.

Stewart played two seasons of college basketball at Mississippi State In 64 games (50 starts) for the Bulldogs, he averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 32.4 minutes per game, on 42.5% FG shooting.

He finished his college hoops career with 792 career points, the 11th-most by an MSU player during their freshman and sophomore seasons, and was named to the All-SEC Second Team last year after scoring 528 points, the sixth-most by a sophomore in school history, while also becoming just one of 11 players nationally to score at least 500 points and dish out at least 100 assists.

Additionally, the two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection scored a season-high 32 points against Dayton on December 12 to become just the 13th sophomore in school history to post a 30-point game since 1954 and was the only player in program history to record three consecutive 20-point games during NCAA/NIT postseason play after doing so from March 20 – March 27.

Heat re-sign Udonis Haslem for a 19th season

The Miami Heat yesterday re-signed forward Udonis Haslem.

“Mister Miami is back!” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Yes! Udonis Haslem has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much. What he loves more than that is to be on the court teaching and competing against the World’s best. UD is a legacy player…ONE PLAYER, ONE CITY, ONE TEAM. Thank you, UD, for coming back to lead again in your city, your organization and your team.”

Haslem, a three-time NBA Champion, has played his entire 18-year NBA career with the HEAT and currently holds the longest streak by any active player with only one team in the league. He has appeared in 859 career regular season games (500 starts) and averaged 7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 25.1 minutes while shooting 49 percent from the field and 75.5 percent from the foul line. The Miami native is the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in games played (2nd), starts (2nd), minutes (2nd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), points (7th), field goal percentage (8th), free throws made (8th), double-figure scoring efforts (9th), blocks (10th), steals (10th), assists (17th) and free throw percentage (22nd). Additionally, he is the only undrafted player in NBA history to lead a franchise in total rebounds and has served as captain of the HEAT in each of the past 14 seasons, the longest tenure in team history.

Haslem has also seen action in 147 postseason games (84 starts) as a member of the HEAT and averaged 5.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 21.7 minutes while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 71.3 percent from the foul line. In addition to being the HEAT’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds in postseason play, he also ranks among Miami’s all-time postseason leaders in games played (2nd), total rebounds (2nd), starts (3rd), minutes (3rd), defensive rebounds (3rd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), free throws made (5th), steals (5th), dunks (5th), points (6th), double-figure scoring efforts (tied-6th) and blocked shots (7th).

Miami Heat re-sign Victor Oladipo

The Miami Heat have re-signed guard Victor Oladipo.

“We really like Victor’s versatility and how he impacts the game in multiple ways,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “His speed skill set fits perfectly into the core we have built.”

Per the Miami Herald, “Oladipo agreed to a one-year minimum deal worth about $2.4 million on Wednesday to return to the Heat, according to a league source.”

Oladipo, a two-time NBA All-Star, appeared in 33 games (all starts) last season between the HEAT, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.39 steals and 32.7 minutes while shooting 40.8 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 29 times, including 18 games with at least 20 points and three 30-point performances.

More from the Herald: “Oladipo, 29, was traded to the Heat in March but played in just four games with Miami before feeling discomfort in his right knee and eventually undergoing surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in the knee on May 13. He ruptured that same tendon in January 2019 before returning a year later in January 2020.”

Oladipo has appeared in 454 regular season games (394 starts) during his eight-year NBA career and has averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.64 steals and 33.0 minutes while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor, 34.7 percent from three-point range and 79.1 percent from the foul line.

Oladipo had season-ending surgery on his right knee on May 13, 2021, and will continue his rehab.

Miami Heat re-sign Jimmy Butler

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Jimmy Butler.

“Jimmy is the anchor and face of our franchise along with Bam and Kyle,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “With Jimmy, we get an All-NBA player, an All-NBA Defensive player, tough as nails and a complete player across the board. He’s very deserving of this contract as he continually puts himself at the top of the league at his position. Having him in the HEAT organization has been a great, great coup for us.”

Per the Miami Herald, “that commitment resulted in Butler signing a maximum four-year extension worth $184 million on Saturday that keeps him under contract with the Heat through the 2025-26 season. Friday marked the first day that Butler, who turns 32 on Sept. 14, was eligible to sign the deal.”

The All-NBA Third Team recipient started all 52 games in which he appeared last season and averaged a team-leading 21.5 points, a team-best 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and an NBA-leading 2.08 steals in 33.6 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 86.3 percent from the foul line. Also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, Butler became the first HEAT player in franchise history to lead the league in steals per game and his 86.3 percent shooting from the foul line was the third-highest single season percentage in team history. He shot at least 80 percent from the charity stripe in 14-straight games from April 3 – May 2 and recorded nine-straight multi-steal games from March 31 – April 16, both the longest such streaks in team history.

More from the Herald: “The four-year, $141 million contract that Butler signed to join the Heat during free agency in 2019 includes a guaranteed $36 million salary for next season and a $37.7 million player option in 2022-23. The extension replaces Butler’s 2022-23 option and begins that season, which means he’s set to earn $220 million over the next five years.”

Butler set single-season career highs in field goal percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game and steals per game and ranked among NBA leaders in total steals (2nd), scoring average (26th), free throws made (9th) and attempted (11th), assists per game (10th), assists per turnover (10th), steals per turnover (12th), total assists (18th), efficiency (24th), minutes per game (29th) and rebounds per game (36th).

He led the HEAT in scoring average, double-figure scoring quarters (28), 20-point games, 30-point games, free throws made and attempted, free throw percentage, assists, steals, triple-doubles and plus/minus (+196) and ranked second on the team in points, double-figure scoring efforts, field goals made and attempted, three-point plays, double-figure rebound efforts, offensive, defensive and total rebounds and double-doubles. He also scored in double figures 50 times, including 30 games with at least 20 points and five 30-point performances.

Additionally, Butler grabbed double-figure rebounds a career-high 11 times, handed out double-figure assists on 10 occasions and posted four triple-doubles this season. His four triple-doubles tie for the most during a single season in team history, including three-straight from February 15-18, to become the first player in HEAT history to record consecutive triple-doubles with two of those coming on a back-to-back road set to become just the 11th player in NBA history to achieve that feat.

A five-time NBA All-Star, Butler has appeared in 633 games (528 starts) during his 10-year NBA career and averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.63 steals and 33.1 minutes while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from behind the arc and 83.8 percent from the foul line. He is Miami’s all-time leader in free throw percentage and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in triple-doubles (2nd), scoring average (3rd), free throws made (14th), free throw attempts (17th), double-doubles (tied-18th) and assists (19th). In 80 NBA postseason games (77 starts), he has averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.60 steals and 37.6 minutes while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from the foul line