The Heat have signed free agent guard Josh Christopher to a two-way contract, the team announced (via Twitter). To create a two-way roster spot, Miami waived undrafted rookie Zyon Pullin.
Christopher is a former first-round pick (24th overall in 2021) who spent his first two NBA seasons in Houston before being traded to Memphis last summer. The Grizzlies eventually waived Christopher and his guaranteed contract for 2023/24 in late September, which also effectively declined his fourth-year team option for ’24/25.
Christopher later caught on with the Jazz, spending a few months with Utah on a two-way deal before being released in January. Despite being eligible to, he did not appear in an NBA game last season, having split the campaign with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah’s NBA G League affiliate, and the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s affiliate.
The 22-year-old Christopher is being rewarded for his standout playing during Las Vegas Summer League, which saw the Heat win the championship in dramatic fashion, an overtime finish over Memphis. Christopher was named the title game’s MVP after registering a team-high 24 points, including six 3-pointers. He also added four rebounds, one assist, three steals and two blocks.
“I think this Heat culture thing just brought the best out of me. I don’t think I’ve had a series of games better than this in my life, honestly,” said Christopher, who averaged 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.0 steals on .541/.525/.1.000 shooting in his six appearances in Vegas (25.9 MPG).
As for Pullin, the 23-year-old point guard showed flashes during Summer League, but he also didn’t earn much playing time (11.9 MPG). The former UC-Riverside and Florida star will be an unrestricted free agent in a couple days if he clears waivers.
Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson occupy the Heat’s other two-way spots, as shown by our tracker.
Can’t believe no team with open roster spots wouldn’t sign him to a minimum deal.
Same. Jay-Gup can ball! Could be a nice steal for Miami
Literal Nick Young clone. I thought it was interesting when he joined the skyforce. If they can improve his decision making slightly, and his consistency defensively, he could be the potential replacement for Caleb/give depth for Richardson/Dru Smith
Might be interesting to get a spot if they move Herro/Rozier
I expected Pullin to be the one to lose his spot for now, as I mentioned the other day
Every HEAT fan and his mother calling for Dru to be dropped …. Alondes, Steward, Swider can take that spot.
People calling to let go of Dru Smith are the same clowns that wanted to trade Lowry for Rozier. Let’s listen to them…
Not necessarily.
I’ve always liked Kyle, his real value was always going to be during the playoffs, not the regular season.
Scary Terry was the scoring punch that they were banking on though …. was also the replacement in case Herro gets traded.
I also get Dru’s value, a bit similar to Tre Jones, a PG who won’t be making mistakes, knows his place in the flow of the offense ….. but Isaiah, Alondes is the kind of risk you take, kinda like Nunn some years back.
Dru Smith can play/guard the 1-3 spots, plays the right way, can shoot…he should be on a standard deal. He is the reason we were holding it down without Caleb early in the season, before he got hurt
Alondes can’t shoot. I like him, but there’s not enough spots right now, and he’s a guard (and not just a guard, but a guard that needs the ball in his hands), which makes it difficult for him