Two-way players might get to stay
The NBA has moved closer to a deal where players on two-way contracts would be eligible to appear on the active roster for as many games as their teams would like this season, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.
The proposal to lift what was a 50-game limit on the active roster for two-way players got overwhelming support Tuesday and is likely to be passed by the NBA’s board of governors, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because that final approval is pending. The approval is expected later this month.
No team has used twoways more this season than Miami, with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus having a combined 42 appearances this season entering Tuesday’s game against Atlanta. Vincent has also been a part-time starter for the Heat, and Miami was one of the teams concerned that those 50-game appearance limits on the active roster was fast approaching.
“We all appreciate that they see that each team is in a different place,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We felt that we’ve competed in this season with great honor and respect to the league. … Our twoways are playing for us. There are a few other teams that are in that circumstance. It’s just an uneven and unpredictable year for so many teams. Not even all the teams are in the same range of amount of games played up to this point, with all the postponements.”
The NBA relaxed the rule on two-way players for this season in anticipation of postponements and rosters being taxed by virus-related issues. The rule in past years has been that two-way players could spend 45 days with the NBA club and the rest of the time with a franchise’s G League team. But with a shortened G League season this year, and not all teams having clubs in that league this season, there were obvious reasons to change things.
Players on two-way deals are earning
$449,155 this season.
Grizzlies 125, Wizards 111: Ja Morant had 35 points and 10 assists for visiting Memphis. De’Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks each added 20.
Russell Westbrook had 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, but also committed eight of Washington’s 22 turnovers.
Bradley Beal also scored 23 points for Washington.
The Dolphins have so many decisions at wide receiver that it could take days of meetings to sort out. And the potential choice between LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith with the third overall pick is just the start of it.
Among the others: How much money should be spent — and who should be targeted — in a deep free agent class that has at least 20 players who are potential upgrades? Who should the Dolphins target at receiver if they trade down from No. 3?
And should Jakeem Grant, Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns be retained? Exploring:
Besides needing another starting-caliber boundary receiver, the Dolphins believe they also need a twitchy receiver capable of playing a lot in the slot, according to a source. They remain intrigued by Lynn Bowden Jr. but believe the position must still be addressed.
Among the impending free agents who would fill Miami’s need in the slot: Pittsburgh’s JuJu Smith-Schuster, Carmore olina’s Curtis Samuel, Las Vegas’ Nelson Agholor, Jacksonville’s Keelan Cole, San Francisco’s Kendrick Bourne
and Buffalo’s Isaiah McKenzie.
Others, such as Indianapolis’ TY Hilton, can play in the slot or on the boundary, though Hilton, 31, is older than this regime generally prefers in free agency. Hilton, the former UM star, has interest in the Dolphins.
Though DeVante Parker is under contract and Preston Williams is now fully healthy after his foot injury, boundary receiver also will be addressed, especially in light of Williams missing the final eight games of each of his first two seasons.
There are a bunch of boundary options in unrestricted free agency, too, including Chicago’s Allen Robinson, Detroit’s Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones
(interested in Miami), Houston’s Will Fuller, Tennessee’s Corey Davis and Chris Godwin (who might be franchised by Tampa Bay). But all of them would be pricey.
There are other notable unrestricted free agents, from AJ Green (47-523 for Bengals) to Sammy Watkins (37-431 for Chiefs) to Brashard Perriman
(30-505 for Jets).
ESPN commentator and former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum said Buffalo’s John Brown, the Jets’ Jamison Crowder and Houston’s Brandon Cooks also could be cut.
One thing the Dolphins need is receivers who can generate
yards after catch. Miami was 30th in that category last season, and Parker’s 2.7 average yards after catch was 173rd of 197 receivers. Williams was even worse at 2.5. Among free agents, McKenzie, Fuller and Agholor were the best in average YAC in 2020.
After cutting linebacker Kyle Van Noy, the Dolphins now have $36 million in cap space — enough to sign a pricey wide receiver if they choose.
If the Dolphins trade down from No. 3, which receiver should they target?
NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates Jaylen Waddle ahead of former Alabama teammate Smith, with Waddle going 13th and Smith 14th. So Miami might have a choice of both in a trade-down.
Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks said Waddle “is the best catch-and-run specialist in the class. He has a knack for turning short passes into long gains with his electric running skills and cat-like stop-start quickness.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who has Smith going third to Miami, said Waddle is the best option if Miami trades down, adding that “he’s not just a receiving entity as a slot guy but also a great punt returner. I don’t think he gets past the Giants” at 11.
As far as which veteran receivers to keep, it’s complicated. An associate of Wilson said he’s uncertain if the Dolphins will even keep him into training camp.
Releasing Wilson would clear out $2.9 million in cap space, with $2.3 million in dead money. But $1 million of his $2.1 million base is guaranteed. His status with the team is tenuous after he opted out last season.
The Dolphins could bring Hurns — who also opted out — to training camp, but it’s iffy as to whether he makes the team. His cap hit is $2.9 million if he makes the team, but there’s a $2.2 million dead money hit if he’s cut. But cutting him saves the Dolphins $1.9 million in
2021 salary.
As for Grant, his skills as a punt returner help his chances of sticking. But if the Dolphins need to clear out cap space, he could be at risk. Grant has a $4.8 million cap hit; if he’s cut, the hit is $2.9 million. He will be paid $3.6 million if he’s on the team.
CHATTER
Agent Drew Rosenhaus ,on his WSVN segment, said his client Davon Godchaux
“would love to come back and the Dolphins would like for him to come back. … Davon is one of the most talented defensive tackles, I believe, and the Dolphins would have to be able to compensate him in that capacity. I’m not sure that they will, given the talent they have on the team.”
Kelly Olynyk is playing far more than at any time in his Heat tenure, and Miami has outscored the opponent by 87 points when he was on the court during the Heat’s past 16 games, entering Tuesday. That’s the good news.
The bad news: He has never shot this poorly in his NBA career. He’s at 32.1 percent on threes, down from his 36.7 percent career mark and 40.6 last season. He has spent time with shooting coach Rob Fodor
looking for solutions. Miami will continue to seek power forward help before the trade deadline.
The Hurricanes are trying to lure UNLV grad transfer Justice Oluwaseun, a former starter at guard and tackle with two seasons of eligibility left. … UM offensive lineman Adam ElGammal — who hasn’t played a snap in two seasons — became the first UM player to opt out of 2021 spring football because of the pandemic. … ESPN’s Kiper said tight end Brevin Jordan’s
stock has dropped and he’s likely to fall to the fourth or fifth round in April’s draft.
Marlins offensive coordinator and bench coach James Rowson is highly regarded in baseball and could be an eventual successor for Don Mattingly
if the Marlins ever make a change (and they shouldn’t). Rowson, credited by Lewis Brinson and other players, was runner-up for the Red Sox manager’s job, which went to Alex
The Doral Academy boys’ tennis team recently defeated No.1 nationally ranked Saint Andrew’s 4-3 at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton.
The No. 7-ranked Firebirds were underdogs against the topranked Scots.
After dropping the No. 1 doubles match, the Firebirds’ No. 2 doubles team of Peyton Williams/Greyson Williams won 8-7 in a tiebreaker (7-4). The Firebirds then secured victories at No. 4 and No. 5 singles with junior G.Williams and junior P.Williams (not related), before No. 1 singles player senior Luis Fernandez provided a thrilling conclusion.
Battling undefeated Jacob Lowen (a University of Chicago signee), Fernandez kept his poise, despite dropping his serve at 7-6 to force a tiebreaker. He won the match 8-7 by winning that tiebreaker (7-3). The Firebirds rushed the court to congratulate Fernandez and celebrate their win, the biggest in program history.
“This is a historic win for our program,” Doral tennis coach Justin Puppo said. “Beating the No. 1 team in the nation is the
payoff for all the hard work our players have put into this program over the past eight years.”
In eight years, Doral was a state finalist in 2018 and 2019.
FLAG FOOTBALL
The Krop girls’ flag football team opened the season by beating Cooper City 13-12 in overtime.
Trailing 6-0 with 20 seconds left, Alexis DeAngelis took a double pass from Lindsey Weingard
and connected with Mai Lisa Atis on a 30-yard TD to force overtime.
Weingard found Atis again on a TD in overtime, and Krop converted the winning extra point on a throw from Weingard to Lauryn Hornstein.
Down 13-6 in overtime, Cooper City scored to make it close again, 13-12. The Cowboys then decided to go for two and the win. Krop stopped that attempt to seal the victory.
Krop: Lindsey Weingard 14-20 passing for 107 yards, 2 runs for 18 yards, 1 Passing TD, 1 defensive INT, 5 flag pulls; Alexis DeAngelis 1-1 passing and a 30-yard TD pass, 2 receptions for 10 yards, 3 flag pulls; Mai Lisa Atis 9 catches for 79 yards and 2 TDs, 2 flag pulls; Lauryn Hornstein 2 receptions for 10 yards, one XPT; Alionna Chapel 7 flag pulls; Brooke Couri 1 sack, 1 reception for 8 yards.
MORE FLAG FOOTBALL
Cooper City 38, Nova 0: Myia Siegel 5 sacks, Hailey Fuentes 2 touchdowns.
MORE BOYS’ TENNIS
American Heritage 6, University School 1:
Nicolas Mchedlishvili (U) d. Daniel Naylor 6-4; 2. Elliot Starkman (AH) d. Mathew Gothin 6-2; 3. Charles Goldwyn (AH) d. Alessandro Melotti 6-3; 4. Anirudh Lingara u (AH) d. Mitchel Cohen 6-4; 5. Nathan Debs (AH) d. Luke Salman 6-2. Doubles:
Daniel N./Elliot S. (AH) d. Nicolas M./Mathew G.
6-3; 2. Charles G./Anirudh L. (AH) d. Mitchel
C./Shah 6-4.
Miami Country Day 7, Riviera Prep 0: Top 3 Performers: 1. Max Castanon won 8-0; 2. Luca Donayre 8-0; 3. Oscar Goncalves 8-2.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
1.
1.
American Heritage 5, University School 2: 1. Daniela Porges (U) d. Natalie Block 6-4; 2. Arielle
Benayoun (U) d. Emily Stouch 7-5; 3. Katelyn Gramanzini (AH) d. Minnie Rosenblum 6-0; 4. Grace Odom-Montbrun (AH) d. Arina Zhrikova. 6-1; 5. Jacklyn Daynovsky (AH) Def. Lauren Paris 6-0.
Doubles: 1. Natalie B./Katelyn G. (AH) d. Daniela P./Arielle B. 6-3; 2. Livia Kaufman/Angela Duan (AH) d. Minnie R./Arina Z. 6-2.
Carrollton 5, Gulliver 2: Top 3 Performers: Singles: No.1 Jimena Menendez won 8-3; No.2 Julietta Menendez won 8-0; No.4 Jazel Mangones won 8-6. Carrollton (2-0).
Miami Country Day 5, Riviera Prep 2: Top 3 Performers: Brooke Kovacs, Lucia Burton, Nina
Vara.
BASEBALL
Braddock 15, Ferguson 4: WP Christopher Churchman 5 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K; Jose Hernandez 3-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB, BB; Jean Baldoquin 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP.
Doral Academy 12, South Miami 2: WP Nick Franglais 4 IP, 2 R, 6 K; Renzo Gonzalez
2 HR, 4 RBI; Abdier 1B, 2 RBI; Sebastian Barrios 3 RBI. DOR (3-1-1).
Palmetto 12, Varela 9: WP Andrew Arias
(2-1); LP Dylan Vega; Jack Quick 3-5, 2B, HR, Run, 6 RBI; Javier Cabeza 2-3, Run, 3 RBI; Lucas
Arenado 2-5, 3 Runs. PLM (3-3).
Riviera Prep 8, Marathon 0: Marc Quarrie 2-3, HR, 2 RBI; Eric Fernandez 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 1 IP, 3K; Nick Flowers 2-4, 2B; Yohanny Vasquez 2-3, RBI; DJ Flowers 3 1/3 IP, 2K. RP (5-0).
SOFTBALL
Miami Beach 24, Hialeah 5.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Gulliver Prep 8, Cardinal Gibbons 3: Tanner Jenkins 1 goal; Ryan Noyes 3 goals; Tyler Cancio 3 goals; Ethan Vigdor 1 goal. GP (6-1).
Ransom Everglades 7, Miami Country Day 3: Jack Rivas-Vazquez 2 goals; Gori Spillis 2 goals; Jacob Wolfe 2 assists; Parker Alhadeff 1 goal; Lenny Miller 1 goal; Ryan Bienstock 1 goal.
Western 14, Palmetto 10: PLM (1-2): Dylan Weinberg 4 goals; Taz Talas 1 goal, 2 assists; Alex Munoz 2 goals; Jonas Keusch 2 assists; Matt Arcila 2 assists; Robbie Palenzuela 1 goal; Jacob Albert 1
goal; Wesley Love 1 goal; Nate Herskowitz 1 assist.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Cypress Bay 12, Cooper City 4: For the Cowboys (1-3), Ella Ferre 14 saves; Alsu Raymanova 5 ground balls; Taylor Moris 4 ground balls; Maria Soto 3 ground balls; Aura Dangond 3 ground balls.
Palmetto 15, Westminster Christian 4: Allie Gould 2 assists, 4 ground balls; Kasandra Sfilio 1 assist; 5 ground balls, 5 draw controls; Gabi Rousseau 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 ground ball; Vanessa Serrano 5 goals, 1 assist, 2 ground balls; 1 draw control; Rylee Endara 3 ground balls; Samantha Berlan 4 goals, 1 assist, 2 ground balls, 3 draw controls; Ana Martinez 2 ground balls; Chelsea Nicastri 2 ground balls; Ana Christensen 4 ground balls; Emma Behar 5 goals, 1 assist, 1 ground ball, 4 draw controls.
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Cardinal Gibbons d. Fort Lauderdale 25-15, 25-14, 25-10: Colby Oliver 17 digs, 3 assists; JC Minor 7 kills, 2 aces, 5 service points, 2 digs, 2 blocks.
ALL COUNTY BALLOTS FOR COACHES
A link for the All County ballots has been sent to athletic directors. Deadline is March 15.
WRESTLING POSTSEASON
Email your team and individual regional tournament results to hssports@miamiherald.com
SUBMIT VARSITY GAME RESULTS
For high schools in Broward and Miami Dade counties, if you have varsity game results for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com (varsity only.)
Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone varsallone@miamiherald.com