The Heat‘s rotation could look pretty thin this season, writes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
After the main eight-man rotation of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, P.J. Tucker, Markieff Morris, and Dewayne Dedmon, there are a lot of question marks. Victor Oladipo is still recovering from his quad surgery, KZ Okpala has yet to prove himself as ready to play real minutes, and Udonis Haslem‘s status is up in the air.
The ability of at least one of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, or Omer Yurtseven to break through will be crucial. Strus and Yurtseven have been two of the top performers in Summer League, and the Heat will be hoping their renowned player development program can turn them into immediate contributors.
We have more from around the Southeast Division:
- Magic prize rookie Jalen Suggs will miss the remainder of Summer League with a sprained left thumb, according to a tweet from the team’s PR account. Suggs had an impressive Summer League, averaging 15.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.7 SPG while showcasing impressive scoring and defensive instincts. The move is a precautionary one, so it shouldn’t impact his status for training camp next month.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Instagram video) breaks down the contract signed by Isaiah Todd, the 31st pick in the draft for the Wizards. The four-year, $6.9MM contract will pay Todd $1.5MM in year one, about $600K more than the minimum. The first three years are guaranteed with a $2MM team option in year four. Marks adds it’s likely the team option is declined in year four in order to make Todd a restricted free agent. Keith Smith of Spotrac has the year-by-year breakdown here.
- Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes that the Heat, in their offseason dealing, essentially chose the path that would allow them to sign Tucker, rather than keeping Precious Achiuwa and signing someone else (ie. Jeff Green) using the $4.9MM room exception. Jackson adds that Summer League standout Marcus Garrett is a top candidate for one of the Heat’s two two-way contracts.
- Heat big man Udonis Haslem is still deciding what his future holds when he eventually retires from basketball, but is happy to continue his playing career for now, as Winderman writes. Appearing on teammate Duncan Robinson‘s podcast, Haslem said: “Miami is my home, it’s my city. Why not still be a part of what’s going on there and still be able to move the needle and impact and hopefully win more championships?” Haslem added that team ownership has been on his mind for a long time, and that he’s had many conversations with ex-teammate Dwyane Wade on the subject.
Both Jalen Green and Suggs will miss tomorrow’s game, sucks for the fans there.
The heat rotation is even less scary on paper. The Big three of bucks Sixers and nets will be battling it out until Lillard gets to philly.
If they trade Embiid for Lillard it won’t make the Sixers any better. And no way are the Blazers giving up Dame to get Simmons, that ain’t happening.
And the big 3 teams in the east are the Nets, Bucks, and Hawks. Not Philly.
Embid for Lillard?? Who would do that? Pat Reilly. I’m just guessing but I’m thinking Simmons 4 Lillard with a few other moving parts
When the Sixers can get out of the 2nd round( which they haven’t in almost 4 decades) then you can hype them up as one of the elite teams;
Elite East Teams:
Bucks
Nets
Heat
Really good:
Hawks
Sixers
Why would you put the Heat over the Hawks and Sixers? Because they signed a 35-year old PG, 1 has been and 1 never been?
Strus will definitely have a spot in the rotation. He played well enough in his minutes this season, and he’s dominating in a lead role for the summer league team.
Wow how much are dropping the standards for PG’s these days, incredible, Suggs gives 2 APG & is considered impressive play! SMH!!!