Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed today that the NBA has granted the team a harship exception, allowing for a 16th player to be added to the roster (Twitter link). According to Spoelstra, Miami has not yet determined which player will be added to the roster using that exemption (Twitter link). However, the Heat coach may simply be waiting until the move is official to formally discuss the team’s newest player — according to reports on Sunday, Miami is prepared to call up Okaro White from its D-League affiliate to take that 16th roster spot.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel explains why the Heat qualify for a hardship exception that allows them to add a 16th player, providing updates on where things stand on sidelined players like Chris Bosh, Josh McRoberts, and Justise Winslow.
- Meanwhile, Josh Richardson will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks of action, Spoelstra confirmed today (Twitter link). When Richardson is ready to return, the Heat will have to part ways with someone to get back down to 15 players.
- In a mailbag for The Sun Sentinel, Winderman discusses the possibility of the Heat matching up with the Magic for a Goran Dragic trade. In Winderman’s view, it makes sense for Miami to be patient if any such deal would involve a 2017 first-round pick, since the Heat would want to be sure that pick lands as high as possible in the draft. Of course, the further Orlando is from the playoff race in the East, the less likely the team is to part with a 2017 pick.
- Within the same mailbag, Winderman also suggests that James Johnson and Wayne Ellington are more likely than someone like Derrick Williams to generate interest as trade chips.
James Johnson and Wayne Ellington are pretty good players and could get the heat a couple picks. Need to trade Dragic for a first, his value isn’t getting any higher, he’s only getting older. I like this young core they have, Johnson and Richardson look like good rotation players or low end starters while Winslow could be a stud. i just don’t know if these team is looking for a full rebuild or trying to build a contender fast.Even with Fultz coming from the draft, he won’t be enough to put them in the higher part of eastern conference. That’s why Whiteside should be expendable too but hey don’t doubt Pat Riley
Riley doesn’t do rebuilds. Whiteside needs to be traded. Only deal Dragic for something significant. I’d hold him, and reexplore a deal before the draft. If you don’t get anything worthwhile, build around Dragic with a couple of free agents (heat would have upwads of $60 million+ in cap space if they trade Whiteside). Dragic doesn’t have too many miles on him, despite his age, and he is on a good contract. You aren’t going to get a comparable PG in his price range, so it makes sense to keep him if you don’t get a good enough return…
On a side note, I think it’s too early to be targeting specific players in the draft. I’ve only seen Fultz once so far, and it was against Cal the other night. Cal is good defensively, and it was only 1 game, and Fultz worst game so far, but I wasn’t too impressed to call him the outright #1 guy. I think he can get to the rim, he is kind of crafty in transition and getting through traffic in certain situations to get to the rim. He is lengthy, and he uses that when he attacks the basket. Still, I wonder how that translates for him in the more physical NBA. I liked his playmaking instincts in some regard. But, I didn’t like his jump shot. Thought he took too many flashy, bad mid range shots that he didn’t get close to making. And I didnt see anything defensively to write home about. I need to see him a couple of more times.
Totally agree, teams are trying to low ball us.. Dragic is a stud, plays hard, doesn’t complain. Shooting over 40% from the 3. Is having good all around numbers, despite the opposing team being able to double team him, and pack the paint and close his driving lanes, because we lack shooters. He’s a steal at his price, you can’t touch anything near his level for the money he’s making. Put him on a good team with shooters, he would have all star numbers. You don’t give that up for pennies on the dollar.