Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Josh Richardson Suffers Knee Injury

September 10th, 2016 at 12:23pm CST by Eddie Scarito

SEPTEMBER 10th: Richardson has been told that he will miss six to eight weeks due to his knee injury, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel relays (via Twitter).

SEPTEMBER 9th: Heat swingman Josh Richardson has suffered a partially torn MCL in his right knee, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (on Twitter). His return time will depend on how well his rehabilitation efforts go, the scribe adds. Based on Charania’s wording, it does not appear that surgery is currently planned for the player. Richardson suffered the injury during practice when he landed awkwardly after a dunk attempt, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweets.

This news is certainly a blow to the Heat, who touted the second-year player as one of their building blocks and defensive leaders. The only consolation for Miami is that the team is deep in the backcourt and were going to have to do some rotation shuffling in order to dole out playing time to the other guards and swingmen on its roster.

Richardson was the No. 40 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and he appeared in 52 games for the Heat in 2015/16. The 22-year-old posted averages of 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per outing. His shooting line on the campaign was .452/.461/.667. His contract for this season, which is fully guaranteed, will pay him $874,636.

Riley: No Offseason Regrets -- "Except For One"

September 8th, 2016 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Heat president Pat Riley is looking forward to training camps getting underway later this month and tells Tom D’Angelo of The Palm Beach Post that he has no regrets about his team’s offseason — well, “except for one.” While Riley admitted that Dwyane Wade‘s departure was disappointing, he’s preparing for the franchise to move on. “I’m excited for our new guys,” Riley said. “Maybe we make a deal or catch lightning in a bottle again next summer (in free agency) like we did in 2010.”
Within his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses the Heat‘s addition of Derrick Williams and examines the odds of the team attempting to trade a guard at some point.

NBA Teams With Full Rosters

September 8th, 2016 at 1:14pm CST by Luke Adams

While NBA teams are limited to carrying 15 players on their regular-season rosters (with a few exceptions), roster limits expand to 20 players during the offseason. The five extra roster slots allow clubs to bring in veterans hopeful of earning a place on the regular-season roster, or young players who may eventually be ticketed for D-League assignments.

Most teams will fill up their 20-man rosters for training camp, but at this point in the NBA offseason, it can be difficult to determine which clubs still have room on their rosters. Many potential camp invitees have reportedly reached agreements with teams, but those signings haven’t yet been officially announced.

By our count, there are currently just two team at the 20-man offseason roster limit. One is the 76ers, who were at the 20-man limit for much of the offseason before waiving Carl Landry and Tibor Pleiss. Since then, they’ve added Elton Brand and Cat Barber, though it appears only 11 of the club’s 20 players have fully guaranteed salaries for 2016/17.

Meanwhile, on their official website, the Nuggets list 14 players who have guaranteed contracts, plus Axel Toupane, JaKarr Sampson, and D.J. Kennedy, who are on non-guaranteed or partially-guaranteed deals. In addition to those 17 players, the team has also reportedly reached agreements with Nate Wolters, Robbie Hummel, and Jarnell Stokes, bringing Denver’s total roster count to 20.

Still, not all of Denver’s signings are official, and even once they are, the Nuggets could easily make room for another player by cutting a non-guaranteed salary from their books. The same can be said for Philadelphia. While their rosters may technically be “full,” it’s not as if the Nuggets and the Sixers don’t have the flexibility to replace a camp invitee with a veteran free agent, if they so choose.

A more productive way of determining which teams’ rosters are “full” at this point in the offseason might be to examine the number of guaranteed salaries on their books. The deadline for teams to stretch the 2016/17 salary of a waived player is now behind us, so any team that cuts a player with a guaranteed salary won’t be able to reduce that cap hit unless the player agrees to a buyout. Most teams are reluctant to add much dead money to their cap with such a move, so if a club has 15 guaranteed contracts on its cap, we can assume its regular-season roster is fairly set, barring a trade or a surprise cut.

Here are the NBA teams that currently have 15 (or more) guaranteed salaries on their roster:

Heat Notes: Bosh, D-League, Winslow, Weber

September 6th, 2016 at 2:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Discussions between the Heat and Chris Bosh remain focused on the team’s comfort level with the All-Star big man taking new blood thinners, says Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. According to Jackson, those thinners would be out of Bosh’s system within eight hours or so, and the Heat are exploring ways for him to play while taking that type of medication. Jackson recently reported that Bosh’s camp was frustrated with the way the Heat had handled the situation. However, the club is trying to work on a solution, which has led to some optimism on both sides, according to Jackson.

Here’s more on Bosh and the Heat:

Former Florida Panthers player Tomas Fleischmann, who deals with blood clot issues frequently, has spoken to Bosh over the phone, according to Harvey Fialkov of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter links). Fialkov notes that Bosh “picked Fleischmann’s brain” on how he might be able to stay on the court while managing those health issues, with the NHL veteran advising the NBA veteran to continue his career.
Within his previously-linked piece, Jackson writes that it’s tough to imagine Rodney McGruder, Stefan Jankovic, or Okaro White making Miami’s regular-season roster unless the team trades or waives veterans. However, the Heat would like to stash all three players in the D-League.
Jackson’s piece also features rave reviews on Justise Winslow‘s development, with one Heat staffer asserting that we’ll “see a major difference” with Winslow’s jump shot in 2016/17. The 20-year-old has been working with a shooting specialist this summer.
In a pair of mailbags, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses Bosh’s situation, the potential Heat starter at shooting guard, and Briante Weber‘s roster spot — or possible lack thereof.

Heat Notes: Arison, Bosh, Shaq, Reed

September 2nd, 2016 at 11:01am CST by Arthur Hill

Don’t read too much into Heat owner Micky Arison’s “look forward to seeing in camp” tweet to Chris Bosh, cautions Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Bosh was expected in camp regardless of his immediate playing status, and he still must pass a team physical before being cleared for any action. Bosh’s health and future with the Heat remain uncertain after missing the end of the past two seasons with blood clots, and Winderman suggests that Miami has few options with the veteran power forward and his hefty contract unless there is “an overwhelming consensus” that his NBA career is over.

There’s more news out of Miami:

Bosh may have looked impressive in his on-line workouts, but the Heat need to see him in a contact situation before making a decision on his ability to play with or without medication, Winderman writes in a separate story. That’s why it would be helpful to the team if he is cleared to participate in training camp.
Heat president Pat Riley calls the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal to Miami in 2004 the most important move in franchise history, Winderman relays in another piece. O’Neal, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame tonight, came to Miami in 2004 in exchange for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and two draft picks. He led the Heat to the 2006 title before being traded to Phoenix two years later. “I’ll say this, and I mean this,” Riley said. “Shaq’s acquisition was bigger than any acquisition that we ever made, including the Big Three.”
After appearing in just 39 games with the Nets during his rookie season, Willie Reed hopes he has found the right situation in Miami, according to Joe Beguiristain of NBA.com. The 6’10” power forward signed with the Heat in July, accepting a two-year minimum-salary deal with a player option for the second season. Beguiristain notes that Reed often produced when given an opportunity, and scored 14 points to go with eight rebounds and four blocks in a March 5th game against Minnesota.

Spoelstra: Tyler Johnson "Makes You Re-Sign Him"

September 1st, 2016 at 1:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Discussing Tyler Johnson, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra praised the young guard’s “incredible work ethic,” adding that Johnson “makes you re-sign him,” as Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel details. Johnson technically signed a four-year, $50MM offer sheet with the Nets this summer, which Miami matched.

Latest On Chris Bosh

August 31st, 2016 at 7:13pm CST by Arthur Hill

7:13pm: Heat owner Micky Arison added some intrigue to the Bosh situation this evening with a tweet that read “Looking good CB look forward to seeing in camp.” Arison was responding to the workout videos that Bosh posted online. This is the clearest indication from the team that it expects Bosh to play this season.

6:00pm: The NBA could get involved in any agreement between Chris Bosh and the Heat, reports Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel.

After having his last two seasons cut short by blood clots, the veteran power forward wants to be cleared to play this season, but the Heat remain concerned about his medical status. Bosh is becoming increasingly frustrated by the organization’s refusal to grant him medical clearance and has started a social media campaign to pressure the team into action. Bosh posted videos of recent workouts and a photo of him working out with former Miami star Dwyane Wade.

The Heat have raised objections about Bosh playing while taking blood thinners or possibly abandoning the medication in an effort to return. There was a possibility that he might take the disagreement to the players’ union during last season’s playoffs, but he and the team reached an agreement to hold off any action.

Multiple sources have told Winderman that they expect league representatives to become part of any resolution between the parties. The Heat training camp opens September 27th, and players must pass physicals before they can participate.

It has been widely reported that the Heat can remove Bosh’s future salary from their cap for medical reasons if he goes a year without appearing in a game, which in his case would happen on February 9th. But the rules may be less restrictive than originally thought, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

He cites Section VII (4) (h) (1) of the labor agreement, which would permit the Heat to exclude Bosh’s salary starting next summer if he plays in fewer than 10 games and has a career-ending incident. Preseason games wouldn’t count toward that total, but playoff games would. Bosh is owed more than $23.7MM this season, nearly $25.3MM in 2017/18 and more than $26.8MM in 2018/19.

Chris Bosh’s Camp Frustrated With Heat?

August 31st, 2016 at 11:12am CST by Luke Adams

Chris Bosh‘s camp is frustrated with the Heat’s handling of his current situation, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. As Jackson writes, that frustration is one reason why Bosh has gone on a “social media blitz” this week showing videos and photos of him on the court and working out.

The Heat have yet to indicate one way or the other whether Bosh, who has dealt with blood clots in recent years, will be medically cleared by team doctors to return to action this year. The veteran big man clearly believes he’s capable of continuing his career, and recent social media posts that show him in action may be putting some public pressure on Miami as the team mulls its decision.

If Bosh doesn’t play in a regular-season game by February 9, the Heat could have the option of removing his contract from their cap. However, in order for the Heat to gain that cap relief, a doctor jointly selected by the NBA and the NBPA would have to agree that Bosh’s condition “is career-ending, or severe enough to put him at risk if he continues playing.”

As Jackson observes, Bosh wouldn’t agree with that assessment and recent social media posts by the 32-year-old and his wife are sending a message that the Heat will be in for a fight if they choose to go down that road. If it reaches that point, Bosh’s camp and the players’ union would likely oppose any doctors who would say he couldn’t play.

For now, the Heat and Bosh remain at an impasse, but with training camp and the preseason fast approaching, decisions will have to be made soon.

Bosh Still Intent On Suiting Up This Season

August 30th, 2016 at 8:43pm CST by Eddie Scarito

It remains to be seen if the Heat‘s medical staff will allow Chris Bosh, who has missed significant time the past two seasons due to blood clot issues, to take the court this campaign. Regardless of the team’s opinion, the forward has left little doubt regarding his desire to do so, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel writes. Bosh posted a video on Snapchat earlier this week showing him working out, as well as posting a message where he said, “I know I’ve been gone for a moment, but now I’m back. Everybody is always asking me am I hooping? Yes, I’m hooping. Absolutely. I’m a hooper.”

Heat Notes: Dragic, Spoelstra, Ellington, Winslow

August 28th, 2016 at 1:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is visiting point guard Goran Dragic in Slovenia this weekend to talk about changes in the wake of the loss of Dwyane Wade, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Dragic is expected to become more of a focus in Miami’s offense with Wade leaving for Chicago in free agency. Jackson notes that in the games Dragic has played without Wade during his time with the Heat, his scoring average rose from 14.8 points per game to 17.6 and his assist average increased from 5.7 to 6.6, but his shooting dropped from 48.3 percent to 43.2 percent. In a video released by the team Friday, Spoelstra said he wants to adjust the offense to maximize Dragic’s abilities. “Goran is one of the best fast-break, transition point guards in this game,” the coach said. “He will force tempo regardless of how you want to play or how you want to defend. Goran is going to run. … You don’t find many players that can attack, that can play fast, that can make other players better in that type of game. And he’s relentless in getting to the rim. And Goran is that kind of player. And I think young players gravitate to Goran. They want to play that style.”

There’s more out of Miami:

Free agent addition Wayne Ellington hopes to make Hassan Whiteside a better passer next season, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The 28-year-old shooting guard, who got more than $12MM over two seasons to leave Brooklyn for Miami, thinks his 3-point range will provide an opportunity for Whiteside to increase his assist total. The newly re-signed center has handed out just 35 assists over the past two seasons and ranked 80th among centers in 2015/16 in points created off assists.
The departure of Luol Deng and lingering concerns about the health of Chris Bosh have seemingly opened a starting spot for Justise Winslow, Winderman notes in the same piece. Winslow averaged 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds as a rookie last season in 78 games, mostly as a reserve. But Deng signed with the Lakers in free agency and questions remain about the availability of Bosh, whose last two seasons were cut short by blood clots. That creates an opportunity for Winslow, who is among the few holdovers after an offseason of change in Miami. “He’s going to find a way to make an impact on the game,” Spoelstra said. “And he’s going to do it in winning fashion. It might be defensively; it might be offensively. It might be leadership. All of that is far ahead of his age.”