Miami adding prospects for summer league
MIAMI The Miami Heat call it the search for No. 61, the ability to get something out of the draft pool without actually diving in.
The result is a team already swimming in prospects despite not having a selection in either round Thursday night.
“What we want to do,” Heat President Pat Riley said after all 60 selections were made, “is fill out our summer roster with twoway contracts and also affiliate contracts, our summerleague team, and go from there.”
The Heat will play three games in a summer league in Sacramento that starts July 1, followed by at least five games at the NBA’s larger Las Vegas summer league that opens July 6.
Included in the Heat’s deliberations is how to utilize the two two-way contracts NBA teams are allotted beyond the traditional 15 roster spots, as well as which players could receive contract guarantees of up to $50,000 before being assigned to the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
In addition, at least three returning players will participate in the program.
Among those the Sun Sentinel has confirmed will participate in the Heat’s summer program:
Bam Adebayo, 6-10, 2017-18 Heat rookie: Adebayo is the only member of this past season’s 15-man playoff roster scheduled to compete in summer league, although his game action could be limited, as often is the case with returning players. An emphasis is expected on extending his scoring range.
Derrick Jones Jr., 6-7, 2017-18, two seasons NBA experience: Jones has been issued a qualifying offer from the Heat, which would provide at least a $50,000 contract guarantee on a two-way contract for next season, but nonetheless will stand as a restricted free agent when he reports for summer camp.
Derrick Walton Jr., 6-1, 2017-18 Heat rookie: This will be Walton’s first summer league with the Heat, after playing for the Orlando Magic last July before signing his Heat two-way contract. He has yet to receive a qualifying offer for another two-way contract from the Heat and will enter summer camp as an impending free agent. Ike Nwamu, 6-5, 2017-18 League: Nwamu spent last season with the Heat’s developmental-league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, before signing in the Greek League. After playing at Cleveland State, Mercer and UNLV, he went undrafted in 2016. He averaged 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season with the Skyforce.
Yante Maten, 6-8, Georgia, senior: A finalist for the NCAA’s Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, Maten finished his career second on the Bulldogs’ alltime scoring list, third in blocks and fourth in rebounds. He then averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament combine in April. All-SEC each of the past two seasons.
Duncan Robinson, 6-8, Michigan, senior: Robinson is looking to follow former Wolverines teammates Derrick Walton Jr. to go from undrafted to the Heat payroll. After averaging 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists, Robinson was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, leading Michigan this past season with 78 3-pointers.
Daryl Macon, 6-3, Arkansas, senior: A solid offthe-dribble scorer who also sets up teammates, Macon averaged a team-high 16.8 points and 3.9 assists last season, as the only SEC player to ranks in the league’s Top 10 in freethrow percentage, 3-point percentage, points and assists. The lone Arkansas player named conference Player of the Week three times.
Matt Farrell, 6-1, Notre Dame, senior: Farrell appeared in 110 games for the Irish, including three NCAA Tournaments and two regional finals, winning an ACC Tournament along the way. He worked out for teams before the draft in groups that included firstround picks Kevin Knox, Miles Bridges and Aaron Holiday. He closed this past season with career-best averages of 16.3 points and 5.5 assists.
Dikembe Dixson, 6-7, University of Illinois-Chicago, sophomore: After a breakout initial season, as Horizon League Freshman of the Year in 2016, Dixson suffered a setback with a torn ACL before returning to average 14.2 points this past season.
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