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Heat trade Shabazz Napier to Magic

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have traded guard Shabazz Napier and cash considerations to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a protected 2016 draft pick.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Napier, 24, gives the Magic additional depth at point guard, a position where Elfrid Payton is entrenched as the starter and free-agent signee C.J. Watson will serve as Payton’s backup. Napier also would be able to contribute some scoring off the bench.”

Napier (6’1”, 175, 7/14/91) played in 51 games as a rookie last season, averaging 5.1 ppg. and 2.5 apg. in 19.8 minpg., while shooting 36.4 percent from three-point range. Napier scored in double-figures in six straight games between Nov. 16-25 and notched a career-high 18 points on Feb. 20 at New York. He had a season-best eight assists on Feb. 11 at Cleveland. Napier underwent sports hernia surgery on Apr. 1. He returned to action this summer and scored 14 points and added six assists in Miami’s final game in the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League. He also averaged 18 points in 25.0 minpg. over three games during summer league play in Las Vegas.

As a college senior in 2014, Napier, a consensus First Team All-American, led the University of Connecticut to the NCAA Tournament title and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. He was also part of UConn’s 2011 NCAA Championship team and became the only player in UConn history to total at least 1,500 career points and 500 career assists. Originally selected by Charlotte in the first round (24th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft, his rights were acquired by Miami on draft night.

More from the Sentinel: “The only way the Heat will get the Magic’s second-round pick in 2016 will be if Orlando finishes with one of the NBA’s five best records during the 2015-16 regular season. In other words, if the Magic’s second-round pick falls anwhere from 31st overall through 55th overall, the Magic would keep the pick.”

Heat trade Zoran Dragic to Celtics

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have traded guard Zoran Dragic to the Boston Celtics, along with a 2020 second-round draft pick and cash considerations, in exchange for a protected 2019 draft pick.

Dragic appeared in 16 games split between the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat during the 2014-15 season and he averaged 1.8 points in 4.7 minutes per game over that span. He posted a season-high 22 points on 9-17 (.529) shooting from the field, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 41 minutes of action against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 15, 2015.

The 6’5” guard/forward was originally signed by the Phoenix Suns on September 29, 2014 before being traded to the Miami Heat on February 19, 2015. Before coming to the NBA, Dragic played two seasons with Unicaja Malaga of the Spanish ACB. During the 2013-14 season, he averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 18.1 minutes in 29 ACB league games. He also appeared in 22 Euroleague games, where he averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.5 minutes per game.

Heat are sending Shabazz Napier to Magic

Here’s the Miami Herald reporting a Heat roster move:

For many in Miami, it was difficult to watch Shabazz Napier play basketball for the Heat and not think of LeBron James. That won’t be a problem anymore.

In an effort to clean up its offseason roster, the Heat traded Napier to the Orlando Magic on Sunday for almost nothing in return save closure.

It was James who wanted the Heat to draft Napier last year, but James never played with the point guard from the University of Connecticut. A few summer-league games into Napier’s stint with the Heat, James shocked the Heat’s front office with his move to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Heat sign Gerald Green

The Miami HEAT announced Thursday that they have signed free agent guard/forward Gerald Green.

“We are fortunate to be able sign a proven veteran like Gerald,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is a dynamic talent who possesses great athleticism, and has the ability to shoot from distance and spread the floor. He’ll be a perfect complement to our team.”

According to the Miami Herald, “Green on Thursday signed a one-year deal for $1.4 million, the league minimum for players with eight years of NBA service and a bargain for a player who was fourth in the NBA in three-pointers two seasons ago.”

Last season with the Phoenix Suns, Green played in 74 games (four starts), and averaged 11.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.5 minutes per game, while shooting 41.6 percent from the field. For the first time in his career, he averaged double-digit points for a second consecutive season, and led Suns with 137 three-point field goals made. Among NBA players to come off the bench in a majority of their teams’ games, Green ranked seventh with 11.9 points per game as a reserve. He posted 45 games with 10+ points, 11 games with 20+ points and one game with 30+ points. Additionally, he ranked fifth in the NBA with 26 games of at least 15 points when coming off the bench, and tied for fourth with 11 games of at least 20 points off the bench. He led the Suns in scoring 13 times (third most on team), rebounds twice, assists three times, steals nine times and blocks three times.

Green, an eight-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 428 games (102 starts) in his career, averaging 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 19.9 minutes per game, while shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 81.8 percent from the foul line. He finished fourth in voting for Most Improved Player during the 2013-14 NBA season, was named the MVP of the 2012 NBA D-League All-Star Game, and was the winner of the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk contest at All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

Green was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round (18th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. In addition to playing in the NBA and D-League, he has played overseas in Russia and China.

Miami Heat re-sign Goran Dragic

The Miami HEAT have re-signed guard Goran Dragic.

According the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “the five-year deal came in at just over $85 million, about $20 million less than the maximum for a player of his NBA tenure, but an amount that Dragic and his agent believed would allow the Heat to reemerge from last season’s lottery struggles, especially when 2016 free agency rolls around.”

“When we traded for Goran last season, we knew he was the type of player and person that we wanted to be part of our HEAT culture,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “His pace, ability and vision for the game is the perfect complement to lead our team as we look to bring another championship to Miami. We are pleased he has re-signed and will wear the HEAT uniform for years to come and make Miami his home.”

Dragic split last season between the HEAT and Phoenix Suns, averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 33.8 minutes, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field. He led all guards and ranked 19th overall in the NBA in field goal percentage and also ranked among NBA leaders in minutes per game (29th), assists per game (31st) and scoring average (39th). Additionally, he set a single-season career high in offensive (81), defensive (193) and total (274) rebounds. He scored in double figures 68 times, including 27 games with at least 20 points and one 30-point performance. In his 26 games with the HEAT, he averaged 16.6 points (.502 FG%, .808 FT%), 5.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.08 steals and 34.8 minutes. He topped the HEAT in scoring four times, in assists 17 times, in minutes 10 times, in steals on eight occasions and in blocks twice.

The 6’3”, 190-pound guard, who was the NBA’s Most Improved Player and All-NBA Third Team selection during the 2013-14 season, has appeared in 502 NBA regular season games (266 starts) during his seven-year career and has averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 26.0 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the floor, 36.1 percent from three-point range and 75.1 percent from the foul line.

Dragic was acquired by the HEAT on February 19, 2015, along with Zoran Dragic, in a three-team trade involving the Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans in which Miami sent Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams to New Orleans and Phoenix received Danny Granger and a pair of first-round draft picks from Miami and John Salmons from New Orleans.

Heat draft pick Justise Winslow signs his rookie contract

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Justise Winslow.

Players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract, assuming they want to come to the NBA right away. This is a standard signing and absolutely not a surprise.

Winslow, who helped Duke to the 2015 NCAA Championship as a freshman, appeared in 39 games (all starts) for the Blue Devils and averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 steals and 29.1 minutes while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from three-point range and 64.1 percent from the foul line. He was selected to the All-ACC Freshman Team and the USBWA All-District II Team. He was the third-highest scoring freshman in the ACC and capped the season with the second-most double-figure scoring efforts (31) and the second-highest rebound average by a freshman in the conference. He posted seven double-doubles and finished second on the team in rebounds (252), steals (52), blocks (34) and free throws made (100), while placing third in points (492), assists (82) and three-point field goals made (46). Additionally, during the NCAA tournament, he outperformed each of his statistical categories from the regular season as he started all six games and averaged 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.67 blocks and 1.50 steals while shooting 50.9 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from three-point range and 75.9 percent from the foul line.

He started all five games for USA Basketball and averaged 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18s. During the 2013 FIBA U19 Worlds, he averaged 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds and was named to the 2013 All-FIBA World Championship team after posting 9.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals (2nd in tournament) at the U17 Worlds. Additionally, he was a member of the 2014 U.S. Junior National Select Team that played at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he scored a team-high 16 points to help the USA to a win over the World Select Team.

Winslow was selected in the first round (10th overall) by the HEAT in the 2015 NBA Draft.

2015 Heat summer league roster

The Miami HEAT announced today that 2015 NBA draftees Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson will join Zoran Dragic, James Ennis, Tyler Johnson, Shabazz Napier and Henry Walker representing the HEAT at both the Orlando Pro Summer League and Samsung NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Miami HEAT Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development Dan Craig will serve as the Head Coach during summer league play.

The HEAT begins summer league play on Saturday, July 4 in Orlando, and will play five games over the seven-day event, with a championship day being played on the final day of the league, July 10. The team will then head to Las Vegas, with their first game scheduled for Saturday, July 11. The team will play a tournament style schedule, with a champion being crowned on Monday, July 20. At a minimum, the team will play at least five games in Las Vegas.

The full roster is here: Heat summer league roster

Luol Deng exercises Heat player option

The Miami HEAT announced today that Luol Deng has exercised his player option for the 2015-16 season.

Deng spent last season with Miami appearing in 72 games (all starts) averaging 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 33.6 minutes while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from three-point range and 76.1 percent from the foul line. He led the HEAT in starts, minutes played and three-point field goals made while finishing second on the team in double-figure scoring efforts, field goals made, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and total rebounds. He scored in double-figures on 54 occasions, including 12 games with at least 20 points and one 30-point performance and topped Miami in scoring 10 times, in minutes 18 times, in steals on 14 occasions, in rebounds seven times, in blocks six times and in assists in four contests. He posted the first 25-8-8 game of his career after totaling 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 101-91 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day.

Last season, the two-time NBA All-Star scored his 11,000th career point vs. Milwaukee on November 16, recorded his 700th career steal at Memphis on December 7, played in his 700th career game at Brooklyn on December 16 and made his 700th career start vs. Charlotte on April 7. The 11-year NBA veteran has now appeared in 749 career games (703 starts) and averaged 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.00 steals and 35.6 minutes while shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the foul line.

Justise Winslow drafted 10th by Miami Heat

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have selected Justise Winslow in the first round (10th overall) and Josh Richardson in the second round (40th overall) in the 2015 NBA Draft.

“Today was a great day for the Miami HEAT as we move forward in retooling the team and being able to draft Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “They are two very young gifted players. They can play multiple positions and we feel very fortunate to have them. It’s not only a great day for us, but also for HEAT Nation.”

Winslow, who helped Duke to the 2015 NCAA Championship as a freshman, appeared in 39 games (all starts) for the Blue Devils and averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.33 steals and 29.1 minutes while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from three-point range and 64.1 percent from the foul line. He was selected to the All-ACC Freshman Team and the USBWA All-District II Team. He was the third-highest scoring freshman in the ACC and capped the season with the second-most double-figure scoring efforts (31) and the second-highest rebound average by a freshman in the conference. He posted seven double-doubles and finished second on the team in rebounds (252), steals (52), blocks (34) and free throws made (100) while placing third in points (492), assists (82) and three-point field goals made (46). Additionally, during the NCAA tournament, he outperformed each of his statistical categories from the regular season as he started all six games and averaged 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.67 blocks and 1.50 steals while shooting 50.9 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from three-point range and 75.9 percent from the foul line.

Richardson, who played all four seasons at Tennessee, appeared in 136 career games (110 starts) for the Volunteers and averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.08 steals and 28.2 minutes while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three-point range and 75.8 percent from the foul line. Finished his career ranking third in school history in games played, ninth in minutes (3,802), ninth in starts, 10th in steals (147), 16th in blocks (88) and 28th in points (1,252). As a senior, he appeared in 32 games (all starts) and averaged 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.09 steals and 36.3 minutes while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three-point range and 79.8 percent from the foul line. Among the accolades he collected during his senior season, Johnson was named to the Associated Press and Coaches All-SEC First Teams, the SEC All-Defensive Team and the Defensive All-American Team. He was also selected to the SEC Community Service Team.

Heat hope to keep Goran Dragic

Heat hope to keep Goran Dragic

A key free agency reminder: Just because a player chooses to opt out of his contract and test free agency does not mean that player will necessarily leave that team. Sometimes, the player really is testing free agency with intent to leave. But quite possibly, the player simply wants his current contract to end and he may very willing to simply re-sign with that same team. Every situation is different. With that said, here’s ESPN.com reporting on the Heat:

The Miami Heat already know Goran Dragic is bypassing his player option for next season to become a free agent July 1, but league sources say they plan to be highly aggressive in trying to secure a commitment from their new point guard early in free agency.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Heat are planning to offer Dragic a five-year deal in excess of $80 million to keep him in Miami after acquiring the 2014 All-NBA third-team selection from Phoenix on trade deadline day in February.

Only Miami can offer a five-year deal this summer to Dragic.