When the Heat made their seven-player deadline trade with Memphis and Minnesota last week, it was clear the team acquired Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder with an eye toward working them into the rotation. However, Solomon Hill‘s outlook was murkier. The veteran forward, who is in the final season of a four-year contract, looked like a potential buyout candidate, but he says he hasn’t approached the club about that possibility and doesn’t intend to, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
“That hasn’t come across in discussions; I definitely want to be here,” Hill said. “This is an amazing place and winning culture. When you talk about winning, this is the definition of winning. To be in an organization like this and guys like this, this is a chance not only to try to force my way into some minutes but learn as much as I can.”
Hill has been active for the Heat’s last three games but hasn’t yet played a single minute for the team. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s not in head coach Erik Spoelstra‘s plans going forward, as Jackson relays.
“We really like him,” Spoelstra said. “I don’t want these last (three) games to be an indication of what his role will be. I’m not going to figure out that role for the foreseeable future. That’s not fair right now for the team. He’s a detailed defender, has size and quickness to guard multiple positions. He really has improved his shooting. Someone who fits with our style of play. He’s on my mind. He’s the next guy in line. He needs to stay ready.”
Here’s more on the Heat:
- Within that same Herald article, Jackson suggested that Tyler Herro (ankle) seems closer to a return than Meyers Leonard (ankle), and noted that Andre Iguodala agreed to his new contract extension without even talking to Spoelstra or Heat president Pat Riley. “I pretty much knew, had a good feel for the team,” Iguodala said. “Playing against them in the playoffs, playing against them in the Eastern Conference and kind of seeing the scope of their organization, you pretty much know what it is.”
- Besides opening up cap room for the coming summer and improving their 2021 flexibility, the Heat’s trade last week also created a clearer path to locking up Derrick Jones Jr. beyond this season, as Jackson explains in a separate Miami Herald story.
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe takes a fascinating, in-depth look at Bam Adebayo‘s road to the NBA and to his first All-Star nod. Lowe shares some entertaining stories about Adebayo’s first workouts for NBA teams, the impression he made on Miami leading up to the 2017 draft, and how his hunch that he’d be selected by the Hornets fell by the wayside when Charlotte traded for Dwight Howard two days before the draft.
Any sense that the Heat will either not play or release Hill to avoid his minutes incentive from triggering?
Man, Bam dodged a bullet in the draft! No chance he’d develop to be as good as he is with Charlotte. They’re not good at player dev it seems.
Devonte graham, miles bridges, kemba walker off the top of my head. Hornets are bad for sure but they have definitely developed their young players well. Just haven’t had the veteran leadership to win games yet
A little quick on the trigger to lock in Graham and Bridges as fully developed players….but still Hornets have to be at the very bottom when it comes to developing talent…
Will 2nd that on Bam to the Hornets being great for him.
Think Hill is a buyout before the extra $$$ kicks.
Plus only way to clear a roster spot and get under the Tax.
Riley looking for a buyout bargin bin player.
Portis, Morris, TT, ect.
“I pretty much knew, had a good feel for the [three year deal, despite me being 36, offered by the] team ,” Iguodala said. “Playing against them in the playoffs [when Juwan Howard was on their team], playing against them in the Eastern Conference [when George Bush was running for reelection] and kind of seeing the scope of their organization [including the payroll department], you pretty much know what it is [they offered me guaranteed money].”
There’s zero chance Miami will exercise the team option in 2021.
They are required to choose (“excercise the option”), lol you mean they will opt out. Unfortunately the vague bureaucratic wording gets excercised by journalists & spokesmen.
I feel like Joakim Noah would fit the Heat really well if he is as healthy as he was last year
Would he replace Haslem as their primary bench warmer?