Heat producing NBA prospects in G League
LOS ANGELES — Their gifts were only the Miami Heat’s to borrow. Such is part of the process of operating a G League team.
So amid the playoff push by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s developmentalleague affiliate, a pair of intriguing point guards moved on this week, Briante Weber to the Memphis Grizzlies and Larry Drew II to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Unlike Derrick Jones Jr. and Derrick Walton Jr., players under two-way contracts to the Heat, the Heat did not hold NBA rights to Weber or Drew, who were free to sign with any NBA team.
So even with the Heat dealing with an injury-limited perimeter rotation, Heat General Manager Andy Elisburg said the departures nonetheless come with a sense of fulfillment.
“It’s a developmental league,” Elisbug said amid the Heat’s three-game road trip. “It’s different from the NBA, where you obviously want guys to stay. In the G League, you’re looking for guys to promote up to the next level. And that’s what you’re there for, for guys to get to the next level.
“And the reality is, you have more players on the [G League] team than ever are going to be on your own team. So, to some extent you prefer them obviously coming to Miami. But if they’re not coming to Miami, you want them to get into the NBA.”
The Heat have had Weber and Drew in their training camp on multiple occasions, but with the development of prospects such as Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson and Rodney McGruder, the opportunities grew limited.
“And so, you’re really happy with guys who have put in the work,” Elisburg said of such players who have been loyal to the Skyforce over the years. “Larry has been there multiple years putting in the work. Briante’s been there a couple of years putting in the work and getting an opportunity to get back into the league. You’re very, very proud for them.”
Elisburg said the Heat monitored both during the season, while also having contractual two-way NBA agreements with Jones and Walton.
“I’m not sure we had anything for them at the moment,” he said of Weber taking the deal with the Grizzlies and Drew with the Pelicans. “I think they’re guys we liked. Everyone there, I think, are guys where you’d have some interest in. Probably where we are right now, with who’s on our roster, I don’t know we had any opportunity this year. But, you know, they’re guys you sort of liked and would always want to keep an eye on.”
The Heat’s opportunities for G League call-ups were further limited by the trading-deadline acquisitions of Dwyane Wade and Luke Babbitt, with the Heat roster at the NBA maximum of 15 the entire season.
Unlike players with standard NBA agreements, players on 10-day contracts remain eligible at this stage of the season to become playoff eligible with another team.
But that’s not the endgame here for the Heat. The endgame is how this played out with Weber and Drew — creating an environment in the G League where players know they can grow and develop NBA opportunities.
“So the fact that they were able to get an opportunity someplace else, you’re happy for them,” Elisburg said.
iwinderman@sunsentinel .com, Twitter @iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ ira.winderman