Summer play may clarify picture
Games start today, with several roles to be tested
ORLANDO — For a team built around veterans, often superstar veterans, summer league in recent years has been a reserved, almost inconsequential part of the Miami Heat’s personnel process.
Then LeBron James left last July. Then the lottery produced a potential gem in the draft with Justise Winslow. Then the Heat moved perilously close to the dreaded “repeater” luxury tax with its new agreement with Dwyane Wade.
And well, what do you know, summer league matters again for the Heat.
“The main thing is to try to fast-track these guys as much as possible,” coach Erik Spoelstra said as the team concluded summer camp Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena. “The level of competition, that’s always important to us.”
It starts at 9 a.m. today on the practice court at the Amway Center against the Indiana Pacers, the first of five games for the Heat in the Orlando summer league, before the cast moves on to Las Vegas for at least five more summer-league games there.
“We’re always open to finding somebody,” said Spoelstra, who will give way to assistant Dan Craig as the Heat’s summerleague coach.
In addition to those on the summer roster, center Hassan Whiteside will continue to work with the team throughout the summer, although not play in the summer games.
“This has been great for him, to get fiveon-five competition,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat to hold practices and shootarounds
over the summer in addition to the games.
While the games in Orlando are closed to the public, they will be televised on NBA TV.
Among the storylines in this ever-evolving offseason will be whether cost-effective talent can be mined to the degree that costlier veterans could be excised, perhaps the likes of Mario Chalmers or Chris Andersen.
This time, there are summer storylines in abundance for the Heat.
Justise Winslow: Teams tend to reserve judgment with first-round picks during summer league, with more of a priority on developing a book on what to work on the balance of the offseason. With the Duke forward so versatile, expect several different assignments for the No. 10 pick in the draft, as the coaching staff experiments with his possibilities. With Winslow, summer league offers the ultimate laboratory. He said Friday that his summer concentration will be at small forward and shooting guard.
Shabazz Napier: By contrast, when it comes to the second bite at the summerleague apple for former first-round picks, the expectations are elevated. Napier struggled during summer league last year, especially with his shot, and then had an uneven rookie season. These next three weeks could determine whether there will be confidence going into the regular season, and whether there will be a place in the rotation. Spoelstra said he is not sure whether Napier will play in the summer opener, as Napier works back from late- season hernia surgery.
Zoran Dragic: He is the ultimate plus-one, practically locked into the roster because of the presence of his brother, star point guard Goran Dragic. Now the question is whether the Heat can get something out of Zoran while they absorb the $1.7 million salary-cap hit with his guaranteed contract. He could emerge as a needed 3-point specialist, but, more significantly, this is when he has to show he can defend and mesh with the offense.
James Ennis: Even with Luol Deng and Wade back, and even with the arrival of Winslow, the Heat wing rotation is relatively thin. Ennis proved to be a dynamic athlete and capable 3-point shooter during his rookie season. Now he has to show he has the handle to operate as an NBA wing. He likely will be put in several such ballhandling situations over the next three weeks.
Tyler Johnson: Another returning veteran who has to show there is more than flash and sizzle. Can he be an option at point guard, an option that might make it easier to offload Chalmers’ salary? He had his moments last season, particularly in attack mode, but consistency was an issue. Summer league at least offers the opportunity for consistent minutes.
Henry Walker: This is a somewhat odd summer in- vitation. Walker briefly was a 3-point answer last season, especially in that miracle comeback in Orlando. But there seems to be only so much a tenured veteran can get out of summer league. Or is there?
Josh Richardson: The second-round pick out of Tennessee sets up as the type of 3-and-D prospect the Heat were hoping to add this offseason. While he is raw, a strong summer could create a challenge to Ennis and Johnson, and perhaps even Chalmers.
Travis Trice: While an undersized point guard, he displayed and ability to shoot and score at Michigan State and could pose a challenge to Napier, perhaps even in their head-to-head practices that also are an essential component of the Heat’s summer program. This could be your summer sleeper.