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Miami Heat sign Avery Bradley

The Miami Heat have signed guard Avery Bradley.

According to the Miami Herald, “Bradley’s two-year contract is worth nearly $12 million and includes a team option for the second year. He will make about $6 million in the first year — the only guaranteed year — of the contract.”

“This is a great signing that can help us right away,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Being able to add a two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection who is also a great shooter and fits perfectly with our current philosophy as a multi-positional player. Avery will be a great addition to fortifying our backcourt.”

Bradley appeared in 49 games (44 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers last season and averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.2 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 83.3 percent from the foul line. He scored in double-figures 20 times, including a season-high 24 points on March 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

More from the Herald: “Heat president Pat Riley called Bradley on Friday night to pitch him on playing for the Heat if Miami failed to re-sign Jae Crowder, according to a source with direct knowledge. Riley then called him again on Saturday morning and told Bradley how much he and Erik Spoelstra would like to have him on the team and that they thought he perfectly fit the Heat’s culture.”

The 10-year NBA veteran has appeared in 571 career games (493 starts) and averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.02 steals and 28.3 minutes while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the foul line.

Trail Blazers sign Derrick Jones Jr., who played for Heat last season

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr.

“Derrick’s elite athleticism, defensive versatility and ability to rebound on both ends of the floor enable him to make an immediate impact in multiple areas of need,” said Olshey.

Per multiple reports, Jones’ contract is for two years, $19 million.

According to the Oregonian, “the deal likely was made by using the Blazers’ mid-level exception, which starts at $9.258 million in the first year.”

Jones, 23, averaged 8.5 points (52.7% FG, 28.0% 3-PT, 77.2% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.98 steals and 23.3 minutes in 59 games (16 starts) for the Miami Heat during the 2019-20 season. He averaged career highs in points, assists, steals and minutes last season and ranked third on the Heat in deflections. Jones shot 67.7% on two-point field goal attempts in 2019-20, good for the ninth-highest in the NBA among players with at least 100 attempts.

For his career, Jones (6-6, 210) owns averages of 6.7 points (51.1% FG, 28.2% 3-PT, 69.0% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists 0.71 steals and 19.4 minutes in 171 games (46 starts) with Phoenix and Miami.

A four-year NBA veteran, Jones signed with Phoenix in 2016 after going undrafted out of UNLV in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Jones will wear No. 55 for the Trail Blazers.

Heat re-sign Meyers Leonard

Meyers Leonard is back on the Miami Heat. The team officially re-signed the center today.

“It’s good to have him back,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is a prototypical center, a very good one. Meyers is strong on the interior of our defense and sets screens as well as anyone in the league to get our shooters and drivers open. He also shots over 40 percent from three-point range. He is one of the most positive attitude players we have in the locker room. A real team guy. We expect him to have a great season.”

Per the Miami Herald, “Leonard’s new contract with the Heat is a two-year, nearly $20 million deal with a team option in the second season, according to a league source.”

Leonard played in 51 games (49 starts) last season with the HEAT, helping the team to a 34-17 (.667) record over that span, and averaged 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 20.3 minutes while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range. His 41.1 percent (53-of-128) from downtown was the highest percentage by any center in the NBA last season with at least 10 made. Leonard tied his career highs of nine field goals made vs. Houston on November 3, three blocks vs. Atlanta on October 29 and three steals vs. Sacramento on January 20. Additionally, he recorded season highs of 21 points vs. Houston and grabbed 14 rebounds while connecting on four three-point field goals at Orlando on February 1.

The eight-year NBA veteran has appeared in 444 career games (91 starts) and averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.1 minutes of action while shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 83 times, including four 20-point games, and has grabbed double-figure rebounds on 20 occasions and posted 13 double-doubles. He has also connected on multiple three-point field goals 83 times.

Heat re-sign Goran Dragic

The Miami Heat have re-signed veteran guard Goran Dragić.

“It was essential for us to bring Goran back,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is part of our team, part of our culture and part of our family. He provides backcourt veteran leadership and can still play at a very high level. I’m glad to have him back in the fold.”

Per the Miami Herald, “according to a league source, the Heat signed Dragic to a two-year, $37.5 million deal that includes an $18 million salary this upcoming season and a $19.5 million team option for 2021-22. Under the structure of Dragic’s new contract, he’s not allowed to be traded without his approval this upcoming season.”

Dragić appeared in 59 games (three starts) last season with the HEAT and averaged 16.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 28.2 minutes while shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three-point range and 77.6 percent from the foul line. He finished second on the team in scoring average and third in assists, three-point field goals made, free throws made and charges taken. He averaged 16.3 points and 5.1 assists off the bench, becoming just one of two players to post at least those averages in at least 55 games as a reserve last season. He dished out a team-tying record 13 assists off the bench on January 5 vs. Portland while scoring 29 points to become the oldest player to record those totals as a reserve since the NBA began tracking starters/reserves in 1970. Additionally, Dragić scored in double-figures in 24-straight games off the bench from January 15 – March 8, the longest streak by a reserve in HEAT franchise history.

In the postseason during Miami’s run to the NBA Finals, Dragić appeared in 17 games (16 starts) and averaged 19.1 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 32.5 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 80.3 percent from the foul line. He led the team in scoring average (22.8) in their first round sweep of the Pacers and paired with Jimmy Butler to score 67 points in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Milwaukee, tying the third-most by any duo in HEAT playoff history. Dragić capped the postseason recording 17 20-point postseason games as a member of the HEAT, tying Chris Bosh for the fourth-most in team history.

The 12-year NBA veteran has appeared in 817 career games (511 starts) and averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 28.0 minutes while shooting 46.4 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 76.4 percent from the foul line. He ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in three-point field goals made (5th), assists (6th), scoring average (7th), points (10th), field goals made (10th), double-figure scoring games (10th), free throws made (11th), steals (12th), free throw percentage (13th), minutes (13th), field goal percentage (14th), starts (14th), games played (15th), defensive rebounds (18th), total rebounds (19th), double-doubles (21st) and three-point field goal percentage (26th).

Heat and Avery Bradley reportedly agree to a contract

Former Lakers guard Avery Bradley, who declined to rejoin the team for the Disney NBA bubble due to family coronavirus safety reasons, will be joining the team they beat in the 2020 NBA Finals. Via the Miami Herald:

The Miami Heat will sign veteran guard Avery Bradley to a free-agent deal, a league source said to the Miami Herald.

Bradley’s two-year contract includes a team option in the second year.

Bradley, who will turn 30 on Thanksgiving, is a skilled three-point shooter and considered one of the league’s better defensive guards.

After guard Goran Dragic and center Meyers Leonard agreed to return to the Miami Heat in the opening minutes of free agent negotiations Friday night, the Heat received commitments from outside free agents Maurice Harkless and Bradley on Saturday.

Heat and Moe Harkless reportedly agree to a contract

Forward Maurice Harkless spent time on the Clippers then Knicks last season, for a combined season average of 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game. He’ll reportedly be leaving New York as a free agent and heading to Miami to join a Heat squad that just clawed their way straight to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Lakers. Via the Miami Herald:

The Heat is expected to use its entire biannual exception to sign Harkless to a one-year, $3.6 million deal.

After guard Goran Dragic and center Meyers Leonard agreed to return to the Heat in the opening minutes of free agent negotiations Friday night, Miami added outside help with Harkless’ commitment on Saturday.

Harkless, 27, split last season between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks. He averaged 5.8 points while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 34.7 percent on threes, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists last season.

Heat guard Gabe Vincent signs Two-Way Qualifying Offer

Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent has signed his Two-Way Qualifying Offer.

Vincent, who was named the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Improved Player, originally signed with the HEAT to a two-way contract on January 8, 2020. He appeared in nine games with Miami last season totaling 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals in 82:46 minutes of action while leading the team in steals and plus/minus once each.

Vincent also split last season between the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce and the Stockton Kings. He appeared in 11 games with the Skyforce and averaged 16.4 points, 1.9 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 1.10 steals and 24.7 minutes.

Prior to joining the HEAT, he appeared in 20 games (three starts) with Stockton and averaged 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.30 steals and 31.8 minutes while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from three-point range and 89.7 percent from the foul line.

In college, Vincent played all four years at UC Santa Barbara, appearing in 113 collegiate games (105 starts), finishing as the school’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (243) and among the Top 10 in points (1,441) and assists (116).

Miami Heat hire Caron Butler as an assistant coach

The Miami Heat announced today that former first-round pick Caron Butler is returning to where his NBA career began and will become an assistant coach on Head Coach Erik Spoelstra’s staff.

Butler, who has spent the last several seasons working as an NBA television analyst, is the fourth former HEAT player currently on Spoelstra’s staff joining Chris Quinn and former teammates Malik Allen and Anthony Carter.

The 14-year NBA veteran whose career included an NBA Championship (2011 with Dallas) and a pair of All-Star appearances (2007 and 2008 with Washington) spent the first two years of his career with Miami.

“Caron has a remarkable personal story and is someone who is universally respected throughout the NBA for his character, dedication and work ethic,” said Spoelstra. “He brings a mental toughness and nearly 20 years of experience in the NBA as a player, broadcaster and media member that will make him a valuable asset to our coaching staff and players. Most importantly, he has Miami HEAT DNA having started this journey with us and we are excited to welcome him back home.”

Butler, who was the 10th overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, appeared in 146 games (134 starts) in his two seasons (2002-04) with the HEAT. He averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.45 steals and 33.5 minutes with Miami while shooting 40.2 percent from the floor and 80.2 percent from the foul line. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors following the 2002-03 season after leading the HEAT in points, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, steals and minutes played. A four-time NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, Butler still owns the HEAT rookie records for points scored (1,201), free throws made (309) and minutes played (2,858). He also appeared in 13 postseason games with Miami and averaged 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.15 steals and 39.3 minutes while shooting 38.6 percent from the floor and 82.5 percent from the line. Butler was traded by the HEAT to the Lakers on July 14, 2004 along with Brian Grant, Lamar Odom and a first-round pick in the deal that brought Shaquille O’Neal to Miami.

In addition to Miami, Butler’s career included stops in Los Angeles with both the Lakers and Clippers, Washington, Dallas, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Detroit and Sacramento. He appeared in 881 regular season games (732 starts) and finished his career with averages of 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.32 steals and 32.2 minutes while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the line. He also appeared in 65 postseason contests (49 starts) and averaged 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.12 steals and 31.4 minutes while shooting 39.9 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from three-point range and 83.8 percent from the lone.

The Racine, WI native has served as a Turner Sports NBA analyst since 2018, including being featured on NBA TV’s signature studio show, NBA Game Time, and NBA on TNT’s PlayersOnly franchise. Most recently, he’s hosted the “NBA Together” initiative. He has also worked as a studio analyst for Spectrum SportsNet’s coverage of the Lakers and worked as an occasional game analyst for the Washington Wizards during the 2019-20 season. In addition, Butler hosted a podcast Tuff Juice with Caron Butler and in 2015 wrote an autobiography (Tuff Juice).

Heat free agent forward Jae Crowder definitely feels at home in Miami

Heat forward Jae Crowder is a free agent, but he definitely feels at home in Miami. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Jae Crowder made no mention of a hometown discount when it comes to his impending free agency, but the forward who helped lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals has left no doubt about his adopted hometown.

From the moment he began preparing for his NBA entry in the 2012 draft, Crowder made South Florida his base of operation and stressed in a recent interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel that that has not changed.

“My pre-draft workouts, and everything, my agent, he lives in Boca,” the 30-year-old veteran said. “So I stayed in Florida, I stayed in Miami. At the time I was training, I was training in Miami. So I would travel to these cities, where home for me was Miami, because I wanted to be close to my agent and my dad lived in Florida, at the time, as well.”

Crowder’s agent is Boca Raton-based Glenn Schwartzman. His father is former NBA player Corey Crowder.

Other key Heat free agents include veteran guard Goran Dragic and center Meyers Leonard. Forward-center Kelly Olynyk has a player option.

It’s tough to predict what any free agent will do this offseason until salary cap info becomes official. But there’s a good chance Olynyk might elect to remain with the Heat.

Heat assistant coach Dan Craig will reportedly take job with Clippers

The new Clippers coaching staff is starting to come together, as new head coach Tyronn Lue picks his assistants. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

For the second time in as many offseasons, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will be altering his coaching staff, with an NBA source confirming Monday to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that assistant Dan Craig will be joining Tyronn Lue’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Craig, 38, who had filled in for Spoelstra when the Heat coach left in recent seasons for the births of his two sons, has spent the past 17 seasons with the Heat, including the past four alongside Spoelstra on the Heat bench.

Among the leading candidates for Craig’s spot are former Heat video coordinator Eric Glass, who coached the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this past season, and former Heat guard Anthony Carter, who was listed as a Heat player development coach the past two seasons.

The Heat and Clippers are two of the NBA’s top teams. The Heat were eliminated by the Lakers in the NBA Finals, while the Clippers were a playoff disappointment but possess one of the league’s best rosters. A coaching job with either squad is a good one these days.