Category: Miami Heat Blog

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Miami Heat sign rookie guard Breein Tyree

The Miami Heat have signed rookie guard Breein Tyree.

It’s likely just a non-guaranteed training camp contract.

Tyree played a full four years of college hoops at the University of Mississippi (aka Ole Miss). In 130 career games (109 starts), he averaged 13.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 28.0 minutes, on 42.1 percent shooting from the field, 35.6 percent from three-point range and 78.7 percent from the foul line.

As a senior in 2019-20, Tyree averaged a team-leading 19.7 points, plus 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.29 steals and 34.2 minutes while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 82.2 percent from the foul line. He made the All-SEC First Team by the coaches and was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the Associated Press.

Heat sign forward Paul Eboua, who spent recent seasons playing in Italy

The Miami Heat have signed forward Paul Eboua, who has spent the last four basketball seasons playing overseas.

Last season, Eboua played in Italy. In 18 games (12 starts) for VL Pesaro of the Lega Basket Serie A, he put up modest stats: 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game, on 45.9% shoooting. His season-high in scoring was 20 points, on January 5 against Trieste. His season-high in rebounding was 12 boards on January 19 against Sassari.

Miami Heat sign rookie Precious Achiuwa

The Miami Heat have signed rookie Precious Achiuwa.

Achiuwa (whose name is pronounced “ah-CHEW-uh”), was drafted 20th overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Heat. He did big things in college basketball, having been named 2019-20 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year

In his one season of college hoops at Memphis, Achiuwa played in 31 games (all starts) and averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.87 blocks, 1.10 steals, 1.0 assists and 30.5 minutes, shooting 49.3 percent from the field.

He was an All-AAC First Team, an All-AAC Freshman Team and an NABC All-District 24 First Team selection.

Achiuwa was the only player in the AAC to rank in the top five in rebounding (1st), blocks (3rd), scoring (5th) and field goal percentage (5th).

He was the only freshman in the nation to average a double-double as he led all freshman nationally with 18.

His 18 double-doubles also tied for the seventh-most ever during a single season in school history as he finished seventh in the nation in double-doubles and 13th in rebounds per game.

Achiuwa grabbed 334 rebounds, the second-most by a Memphis freshman in program history and just 11 short from tying the all-time record. He led the Tigers in points (489), total rebounds, defensive rebounds (241), offensive rebounds (93), blocks (58), field goals made (182), free throws made (112) and double-doubles.

For the Heat, Achiuwa will wear number 15.

Heat sign forward Maurice Harkless

The Miami Heat have signed forward Maurice Harkless.

Per multiple reports, Harkless’ contract is for one year, $3.6 million.

“We have always liked what Moe Harkless brings to a team,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We like his experience in knowing the role he will play for us real well. Moe can guard multiple positions, play above the rim, great shot blocker for his position and most importantly for our offense, space the floor with his three-point shooting. He is a player with great character and toughness.”

Harkless, an eight-year NBA veteran, split last season between the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks appearing in 62 games (48 starts) averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 23.0 minutes while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. He recorded 16 multi-steal games and nine multi-block games while scoring a season-high 17 points at Philadelphia on February 27 and grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds at Indiana on December 9.

Per the Miami Herald, “Harkless has never played in a game for the Heat before, but he was technically a member of the organization for a very short time last year. The Portland Trail Blazers dealt Harkless and Leonard to the Heat as part of the four-team Jimmy Butler trade in the 2019 offseason, but the Heat moved Harkless to the Clippers just hours later to help facilitate the deal.”

Harkless appeared in 50 games (38 starts) with the Clippers before being traded to the Knicks midseason, and averaged 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.8 minutes while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range. He scored in double-figures eight times as a member of the Clippers, helping them to a perfect 8-0 record over that span.

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.