Saturday’s Summer League contest marked the first game in more than six months for Heat guard Marcus Garrett, who underwent season-ending wrist surgery in January, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Garrett recently received medical clearance to start playing again and didn’t take part in any of Miami’s games in the California Classic.
Garrett earned a two-way contract last summer and appeared in 12 games before the injury. He’s an effective defender with a 6’10” wingspan, but Chiang says he’ll have to prove he can contribute enough on offense to earn another chance with the Heat.
“It was great to see him back there,” Summer League coach Malik Allen said. “When he gets between those lines, he’s a tough competitor and obviously he lifted us up. It was just great to have him back.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- After struggling with his three-point shot in California, Mychal Mulder bounced back with a 5-of-8 performance in his first game in Las Vegas. Mulder currently holds one of Miami’s two-way slots, but Chang notes that he’ll have to show he can be a reliable outside shooter to remain on the roster. “He was due,” Allen said. “But the big thing with Mike was, he really did make a lot of great plays. That’s what I just kind of kept stressing to him. I know he wanted some shots to fall, but he’s made some really great plays for us.”
- The Heat aren’t sure if Omer Yurtseven will see any Summer League action because of a quad injury he suffered with the Turkish national team, Chiang adds in a separate story. Yurtseven, who’s entering the final season of his two-year contract, flew to Las Vegas after helping Turkey win a World Cup qualifier last Sunday. “I do want to play. That’s the reason I’m here,” he said. “I’m just here to pretty much get better and I think playing is the best way to do it.”
- Miami is still experimenting with the best Summer League role for first-round pick Nikola Jovic, per Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.
Marcus Garrett is as much a Miami Heat player of anyone I’ve ever seen. I hope he gets his spot back. Oladipo and Lowry hurt his chances, but I’d just hate to lose this guy.
Was hoping to see Yurtseven for 1-2 games to see him work on some of the stuff I’ve talked about, but if he isnt healthy, obviously they’ll still have plenty of time until training camp/preseason, and hopefully he will show those things then
Mulder’s skillset is a little redundant with Herro, and they replaced him with Vincent a couple of years ago. I like him, but if they find d someone else, like a wing or a 4 in that spot, I’d rather 1 of them get it, but obviously, that would be someone not currently on their summer league roster. I still like the guys they had last year, like DJ Stewart jr or AJ Lawson, who would be great fits, but I could see them getting a regular contract with someone
Jovic has looked exactly as he looked in the s outing process, and all the things I’ve said about him. He needs to play more basketball in general, and should have been stashed, instead of being signed now
Jovic was a great pick. He is a true stretch 4. But has a-lot of toughness. Should of went higher imo. Solid pick.
I really, really hope you’re right, but I dont see that being possible for at least a couple of years. Obviously I’ve talked about his potential in certain areas, but he has a long way to go, in my opinion
He reminds me a lot of Rashard Lewis and a little bit of Gallinari. Would love if he can be this type of rotational player within 1-2 years.
Let’s go ahead and get Dennis Schroeder or Jae crowder. Forget the others