After spending most of Summer League with the Spurs, Darius Days was surprised to get a two-way contract from the Heat, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Days, who averaged 13.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in three games in Las Vegas, said he didn’t work out with Miami prior to the draft.
“It definitely caught me by surprise,” he said. “It was an exciting feeling. They gave me the call and I was excited. I was just trying to play my way into something this past week.”
An undersized big man at 6’7″, Days compares himself to P.J. Tucker, who just left the Heat to sign with the Sixers. Days, who said he’s versatile enough to play anywhere in the front court, has studied Tucker’s game to understand what makes him effective.
“He can rebound the ball, he can guard bigger guys,” Days said. “He definitely switches and plays great defense. He talks on defense. He just does the little things. I mean, he’s a champion for a reason. So I like to model my game after the little things that he does.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- First-round pick Nikola Jovic saw limited playing time in Las Vegas because of a quad contusion, but he appears to be a long-term project rather than someone who will help right away, Chiang states in the same story. Jovic, who recently turned 19, had one great shooting game in the California Classic, but struggled with his shot in the other three Summer League games that he played.
- Haywood Highsmith showed promise throughout Summer League and could be a part of the Heat’s rotation next season, Chiang adds. Highsmith only has a $50K guarantee on his contract for now, but his versatility on defense may make him valuable enough to keep on the roster.
- Kyle Allman Jr. finished off the Heat’s Summer League schedule with a 26-point outing Saturday night as Miami rallied past the Clippers, per Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The 24-year-old guard was the team’s best offensive player this summer, Winderman adds, but he already has a contract in France and may earn more money by returning to Paris Basketball.
Heat need a big trade otherwise they’ll be exit in 2nd round playoffs
Looks like they’ll be exit then. No big trade coming.
@Sill
It’s interesting that I heard Riley was in on Mitchell who is far from a good defensive player but yet has been so hard on Herro and Duncan for their lack of defense.
Riley isnt in on Donovan Mitchell. The Heat are just being used as a potential suitor in the media
Did Jalen Adaway deserve a spot on any NBA team during training camp?
Allman can play he has good size, speed and strength would be a good backup point guard which the Heat need with Lowry’s age and did not have last season and it cost them. Vincent doesn’t have those traits but I guess they need Haslem again instead.Days sounds like another player Riley can develop…
I think Jovic really didnt play b/c they didnt want people to see how uncomfortable and awkward he looks on the floor. They should have stashed him, and now he is taking up a roster spot they could have used on someone that can actually contribute, especially since they need 2 pieces at the 4 still, and only 1 roster spot left for that
Highsmith is definitely a likely rotation player at this point, since they haven’t added anything at the 4 really
As I said previously, I really liked Days on the Spurs summer league roster, and he fits what they need. I wouldnt be surprised to see him get minutes, although obviously, I have to assume they’re going to add someone at the 4 in FA