When it comes to star appeal, the Miami Heat have featured marquee talent during previous summer leagues, including appearances by Caron Butler, Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. But when it comes to depth of talent for a summer roster, few if any of the Heat’s previous July rosters compared to what the Heat featured the past three weeks. “Our front office has done such a great job of putting this team together,” said Heat assistant Dan Bisaccio, who guided the team’s summer roster.
“Not only are they good players on the court, competitive players, but they’re great people, they work together, they work hard. I couldn’t ask anything more.” The results, including a 120-118 overtime championship-game victory Monday night over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, result in a summer-league report card unlikely many, if any, in recent years.
“The fact that they were so connected and they collaborated together, I think that just made it so much more enjoyable,” Bisaccio said of the summer experience. “The fact that these guys came together as a group like that, they kind of put aside their individual goals for the better of the team. I just think that speaks volumes of who they are and what their character is.
” With an appreciation of the uncertainty that now could follow for some. “A lot of these guys, they’re not signed,” Bisaccio said. “They’re trying to win a contract.
This is a really tough league to make it.” Kel’el Ware Grade: A. Summary: A double-double machine in summer league, including 21 points and 10 rebounds Monday night, the 7-footer drafted at No.
15 out of Indiana next has to work on the bulk and strength needed against the bigger, faster, stronger competition of the NBA regular season. Still, a summer that has many salivating for what could follow. Contract: $4.
2 million for 2024-25, with three additional seasons of team control on rookie-scale contract. Keshad Johnson Grade: A. Summary: An absolute steal from the undrafted market, with the forward out of Arizona already showing signs of being able to help compensate for the free-agency loss of Caleb Martin.
Only an ankle sprain held him back in Vegas. Contract: $578,577 for 2024-25 on a two-way contract that does not count against the salary cap or luxury-tax aprons. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Grade: A. Summary: He came, he saw, he conquered for two games, as he should have against summer-league competition, while displaying upgraded 3-point shooting and playmaking. Contract: $3.
9 million for 2024-25, with two additional seasons of team control on rookie-scale contract. Isaiah Stevens Grade: B+. Summary: The undrafted guard out of Colorado State proved to be as prolific a playmaker as the Heat have featured for years in summer league.
The downside is a build that barely stretches to 6 feet, creating defensive concerns against NBA-level size, as Monday’s foul trouble showed. Contract: Under Exhibit 10 camp tryout contract, with Heat holding the right to convert to a standard or two-way regular-season deal. Josh Christopher Grade: B+ Summary: Consistently displayed streak-scoring ability, with NBA-level 3-point proficiency.
Basically did all that could be asked of a tryout player seeking a promotion from the G League. Was named MVP of Monday’s title game. Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team.
Pelle Larsson Grade: B+ Summary: After a rough start to the summer for the guard taken No. 44 in the second round out of Arizona, it proved to be a resounding finish, including the winning basket Monday night. Already enough flashes, including at the finish, to indicate growth into something more.
Contract: $1.2 million for 2024-25, with two additional seasons on rookie-scale contract. Cole Swider Grade: B Summary: Mostly showed that he still does best what he does best, drain open 3-pointers.
While defense is a concern, summer league offered the opportunity to display that he retains a definitive NBA-level skill. He came up big again on Monday night. Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team.
Alondes Williams Grade: B. Summary: Similar to Christopher, again showed the offense is still there, while also stepping up as a veteran leader of the summer roster. Another G League prospect on the cusp of the NBA level.
He played as a go-to scorer Monday night. Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team. Zyon Pullin Grade: C Summary: Outplayed by Stevens, the undrafted guard out of Florida does present the promise for more of a two-way game, with a 6-4 build that arguably is better suited for NBA competition.
Still, in a tenuous spot at the moment. Contract: $578,577 for 2024-25 on a two-way contract that does not count against the salary cap or luxury-tax aprons. Caleb Daniels Grade: G League Summary: As was the case last year in summer league and training camp, the guard who went undrafted out of Villanova in 2023 has a game that is on the cusp of NBA level, but another G League waiting game likely awaits.
Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team. Warren Washington Grade: Possibly G League Summary: The undrafted 7-foot center out of Texas Tech provided enough rim pressure on both ends to possibly merit further study in the G League. Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team.
Neal Sako Grade: Incomplete. Summary: Showed flashes with his length, but arrived to Heat summer program already with a contract in France for the coming season. Contract: Under contract in France for 2024-25.
JC Butler: Grade: Incomplete.. Summary: The game minutes were limited for the son of Heat assistant coach Caron Butler, with a seeming plan all the while for another opportunity with the Heat G League affiliate.
Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team. Bryson Warren Grade: Incomplete. Summary: Barely played in summer league.
At 19 still raw to the degree that further time in the G League will be the next step. Contract: Not under contract, free to sign with any NBA team..
