The Heat are expected to cut R.J. Hampton, opening up one of their two-way contract slots, reports Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link).
Hampton, who turned 23 on Wednesday, has battled some injuries this season and has only seen action in 17 total games in the NBA and the G League. In eight appearances for the Heat, he has recorded 10 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in 76 total minutes of actions, making just 4-of-14 shots (1-of-8 three-pointers).
The former first-round pick has been a little more effective for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, averaging 11.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.7 APG with a .429/.273/.609 shooting line in nine regular season and Showcase Cup contests (28.0 MPG).
As Chiang notes, the plan will be to fill Hampton’s two-way slot with another developmental prospect.
Skyforce guard Alondes Williams looks like one contender for that opening, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald observes (via Twitter). Williams is averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.5 APG, and 5.2 RPG on 49.9% shooting in 32 games (37.0 MPG) for Sioux Falls. Skyforce guard Jamaree Bouyea is another candidate to watch, tweets Chiang.
Hampton will receive his full two-way salary from the Heat and will become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team, if and when he clears waivers. Once he’s officially cut, Miami will have two open spots on its 18-man roster — one standard and one two-way.
A 43/27/61 slash line in the G-League is not effective. Give Alondes a shot
Yeah but you’ve gotta admit it’s “a little more” effective than .286/.125/.500.
(OK, maybe my wording was still too flattering.)
Happy birthday present
Looks like it’s Hampton out not Hampton Inn
Been holding onto that one for a while?
Poor guy. Fell off Orlando l, and now cut by the Heat. Lottery pick a couple years ago, blue chip Orlando Magic prospect. But you can’t thrive, if you don’t develop a shot.
Still young and has tools, not everyone is an NBA lottery pick. He’s a jumpshot away from making it again. Get your form well and work hard in the gym, lil bro. He’s athletic, so if he develops his shot, he will have another chance. Rooting for your success blood!!
He took an unconventional path with his development by playing in the NBL and it failed. Wish he could have gotten some development in college but at some point if you’ve been in the league this long and still not got it you probably just aren’t cut out for the league
He wasn’t a lottery pick…he doesn’t have a niche that’s his only problem. Dude has a guard body with a SF skillet.
That’s why it’s laughable when somebody says a college kid, say even Bronny, for instance, isn’t “ready”.
Or saying somebody needs “one more year”.
One more year doesn’t make most players “ready”.
Very few draft-eligible players ARE “ready” for the nba.
It’s all a crapshoot… that even the “experts” get wrong.