Category: Miami Heat Blog

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Several Heat rotation players on the mend

Per the Miami Herald:

The Miami Heat’s depth continues to be tested.

Already without three rotation players, the Heat lost a fourth rotation player early in Monday’s 119-113 Christmas win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Kaseya Center when Caleb Martin sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of the victory.

With Jimmy Butler (strained left calf), Haywood Highsmith (non-COVID illness) and Josh Richardson (low back discomfort) already out, Martin played the first 8:43 of the game before exiting late in the first quarter and heading back to the Heat’s locker room. He was then ruled out for the rest of the night.

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Miami Heat will retire Udonis Haslem No. 40 jersey in January 19 ceremony

The Miami Heat will retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey in a ceremony on January 19 during halftime of their Friday night matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Haslem will become the sixth HEAT player to have his jersey retired, joining Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

“It’s about a great legacy, a Thank You moment that has been earned over 20 years of being an incredible championship player and most importantly, the best leader,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He’s going to have his day and I can’t wait to see his jersey hang in the rafters.”

Haslem retired last season after spending his entire 20-year NBA career with the HEAT, accumulating three NBA Championships, seven Eastern Conference Championships, 12 Divisional Titles, 16 postseason appearances, having never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and was an NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection. He is one of only three players in NBA history to play at least 20 years with one franchise, joining only Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. Haslem was a 16-time HEAT captain, the most in team history, and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds, becoming the only undrafted player in NBA history to become their team’s all-time rebound leader. His 5,791 boards are the fourth-most among undrafted players in the Modern Draft Era (1966), trailing only Moses Malone, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller. In addition to being Miami’s all-time rebounding leader, Haslem ranks second in games played, second in starts, second in minutes, fifth in field goals made, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in points, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocks and 11th in steals. Among the HEAT’s all-time postseason leaders, he ranks first in offensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, second in games played, third in defensive rebounds, third in starts, third in minutes, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in field goals made, seventh in free throws made, eighth in points, eighth in blocks and tied for ninth in double-figure scoring games. Additionally, Haslem’s 147 postseason appearances are the most by an undrafted player in league history.

Heat eliminated from first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament

Per the Miami Herald:

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 131-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in its final group play game of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament on Tuesday night to open a homestand at Kaseya Center. The Heat continues the homestand, which will last at least three games, on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers:

It was a well-played competitive game, but the short-handed Heat couldn’t overcome the absence of three starters and is now eliminated from the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament.

Adebayo missed the Heat’s first matchup of the season against the Bucks, but he made quite the impact in the teams’ second meeting.

The hope is that Butler and Highsmith will be back soon, while Herro’s return seems to be a few games away.

With so many key players out because of injuries, the Heat’s rotation looked different on Tuesday.

And per the Sun Sentinel:

And so there were the Heat, eliminated from the Tournament by results around the league earlier in the night, going toe to toe with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard despite playing in the injury absences of Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Haywood Highsmith.

Down three starters, the Heat still had enough for that fight to the finish.

They just didn’t have enough at the finish, falling 131-124 to the Bucks at Kaseya Center for their third consecutive loss.

Adebayo led the Heat with 31 points and 10 rebounds, with Kyle Lowry adding 21 points and Josh Richardson 20.

The Bucks got 33 points and 10 rebounds from Antetokounmpo and 32 points and nine assists from Lillard.

The game opened a homestand for the Heat that continues with games against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith out for season with knee injury

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith suffered a Third Degree ACL Sprain in his right knee during Miami’s win at Cleveland on November 22.

Smith will miss the remainder of the season.

Smith has appeared in nine games with the HEAT this season averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.00 steals and 14.5 minutes while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from three-point range and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line.

Heat guard Tyler Herro out with ankle injury

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain in Wednesday’s game in Memphis.

Herro will be in a walking boot for 10 days and re-evaluated in two weeks.

Herro has started in all eight games this season, averaging a team-leading 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.38 steals and 34.0 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the foul line. He entered last night’s game having connected on multiple three-point field goals in all previous seven games, tying for the third-longest streak to start a season in team history. Additionally, entering last night, Herro had totaled 177 points to start the season, marking the fifth-most points through the first seven games of a season in franchise history.

Udonis Haslem named Vice President of Basketball Development for the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat announced yesterday that three-time NBA Champion and 20-year veteran Udonis Haslem has joined the front office as Vice President, Basketball Development. Haslem’s responsibilities include being a resource to the coaching staff, mentoring both HEAT and Skyforce players as well as representing the organization in the community and in business endeavors.

“Born and raised in Miami, UD has been an integral part of the success of the HEAT for 20 years,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “It’s great that he has chosen to continue to build on his incredible legacy here in Miami, where he belongs.”

Haslem recently retired last season after spending his entire 20-year NBA career with the HEAT, accumulating three NBA Championships, seven Eastern Conference Championships, 12 Divisional Titles and 16 postseason appearances, having never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. He is one of only three players in NBA history to play at least 20 years with one franchise, joining only Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. Haslem was a 16-time HEAT captain, and most in team history, and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds, becoming the only undrafted player in NBA history to become their team’s all-time rebound leader. His 5,791 boards are the fourth-most among undrafted players in the Modern Draft Era (1966), trailing only Moses Malone, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller. In addition to being Miami’s all-time rebounding leader, Haslem ranks second in games played, second in starts, second in minutes, fifth in field goals made, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in points, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocks and 11th in steals. Among the HEAT’s all-time postseason leaders, he ranks first in offensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, second in games played, third in defensive rebounds, third in starts, third in minutes, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in field goals made, seventh in free throws made, eighth in points, eighth in blocks and tied for ninth in double-figure scoring games. Additionally, Haslem’s 147 postseason appearances are the most by an undrafted player in league history.

Heat starting lineup has been ever-changing so far this season

Per the Sun Sentinel:

Considering the Miami Heat have started an NBA-high five lineups in six games, perhaps Erik Spoelstra should be taken at his word about Kevin Love being shuffled out of Friday night’s mix not necessarily meaning the veteran forward has been shuffled out of the Miami Heat’s consciousness.

But what Friday night’s victory over the Washington Wizards showed was that with Love out of the starting lineup there isn’t necessarily a role as a reserve, with Thomas Bryant playing as the reserve in the power rotation and small ball largely ruling the night in Spoelstra’s rotation.

“Look, nobody likes being 1-4, losing four straight. It sucked,” Spoelstra said of the record the Heat took into the Wizards game. “I hate having to make those kind of decisions, because from everybody outside, it looks like it’s an indictment on one particular player. It’s not. It’s really not.

“I hated having to make that move, because Kevin brings so much from a spirit and connection and leadership standpoint. But this is just a move for now.”

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Miami Heat waive Drew Peterson and Alondes Williams

The Miami Heat have waived Drew Peterson and Alondes Williams.

Peterson, who had been signed by the HEAT on August 11 at the time, played in just one preseason game for Miami, earning two points, five rebounds, and an assist in 20:59 of playing time.

Williams, who was originally signed on August 11 by the HEAT, played in just one preseason game with Miami, tallying nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 18:10 of play.

Miami Heat make a series of roster moves

The Miami Heat made a series of roster moves today.

The team signed center Brandon McCoy, forward Drew Peterson, forward Cole Swider, forward Justin Champagnie, guard Alondes Williams and guard Caleb Daniels.

Following these transactions, the Heat then waived McCoy and signed Jamal Cain to a Two-Way Contract.

Peterson appeared in four NBA2K24 Summer League games (all starts) with the HEAT in Las Vegas and averaged 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.50 steals while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, a team-high 47.1 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line. He spent last season at USC where he was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team after leading the team in rebounds, assists, starts and minutes while finishing second in points, scoring average, blocks, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Swider split last season between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He appeared in 27 regular season games (19 starts) with South Bay and averaged 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 28.7 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from three-point range and 83.8 percent from the foul line, helping the team to a playoff berth. He also appeared in seven games with the Los Angeles Lakers, totaling nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Champagnie split last season between the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He appeared in 23 regular season games (15 starts) with the Skyforce and averaged 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 31.3 minutes while shooting 52 percent from the field, leading the team in total rebounds. He also appeared in five NBA games, two with the Celtics and three with the Raptors.

Williams split last season between the Brooklyn Nets and their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. He appeared in 24 regular season games (12 starts) with Long Island and averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.21 steals and 27.6 minutes while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three-point range and 71.9 percent from the foul line. He also appeared in one game with the Brooklyn Nets, grabbing a rebound in 5:16 minutes of action in a, 136-133, win at Indiana on December 10.

Daniels appeared in four NBA2K24 Summer League games with the HEAT in Las Vegas and averaged 4.8 points and 1.0 rebounds while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. He spent last season at Villanova where he led the team in assists, three-point field goals made, minutes, games played and starts while earning the BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award.

Cain, who was previously signed by the HEAT on July 15, 2022, split last season between the HEAT and Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He appeared in 15 regular season games (all starts) with the Skyforce and averaged 22.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 steals and 33.5 minutes while shooting 54.9 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three-point range and 81.8 percent from the foul line, helping the team to the Western Conference Finals. Cain also appeared in 15 games with the HEAT last season averaging 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.4 minutes of action.

On the Heat starting power forward spot

Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

It possibly could wind up like during the playoffs, where it’s situational, with Kevin Love starting against bigger front lines and Caleb Martin starting against small-ball alignments. But Erik Spoelstra has shown during the regular season that lineup continuity is the preference. Still, several factors could come into play. Foremost, if Jimmy Butler misses the expected 20 or so games, then Caleb could be the option to start at small forward (if it’s not Josh Richardson). And I also could envision Spoelstra toying with Love as his backup center, which could reduce the chance of Kevin starting. Still lots of moving parts, and lots of time before a decision is needed. Heck, Haywood Highsmith could potentially also enter the equation at power forward.

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