Drafting Bol at 13 might be a big risk
An intriguing dilemma would await the Heat if Bol Bol is available
MIAMI — The thought when it comes to second-generation Heat is perhaps one day Zaire Wade dons the uniform that his father made iconic.
Or, of the jerseys already hanging from the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena, possibly it is a Tim Hardaway Jr. trade that gives the Heat their first taste of father-son lineage.
It almost already happened, with Anthony Mason Jr. spending time in Heat training camp before being limited in his time with the organization to the Heat’s G League affiliate.
And now comes the June 20 NBA draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where Bol Bol stands among the most intriguing possibilities for the Miami Heat with the No. 13 pick.
Because before Dwyane Wade, Tim Hardaway or Anthony Mason donned Heat jerseys, Manute Bol, all 7 feet 7 of him, played eight games for the Heat in 1993-94 under Kevin Loughery.
Like his father, Bol, a 19-year-old freshman out of Oregon, stands as a unique NBA
Next up
NBA draft: Heat: pick, alternative, in his case a 7-21⁄2 big man who is just as comfortable on the perimeter or in transition as at the rim.
In many ways, he also stands as the most distinctive option among first-round prospects,
on the court, in the classroom and in the community that our fan base will continue to be proud of.”
Howard’s Michigan contract is five years, listed by the school with a base of $400,000 annually, although that figure likely will exceed $2 million with other components factored in.
Howard’s candidacy received social-media support from former Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and former Wolverines teammates Jalen Rose and Chris Webber, among others.
And, ultimately, he also received the blessings of both Spoelstra and Riley.
“He will forever be a champion and part of the Heat family,” Spoelstra said, “and I am excited to see him take the next step.”
“I think it is a great step forward for him and the University,” Riley said, “and I wish him nothing but the best, because that’s what he’s given us.”
Howard, 46, this offseason had interviewed for since-filled NBA vacancies with the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers.
It was the filling of the Cavaliers vacancy by Michigan’s John Beilein that created the Wolverines vacancy.
Howard was bypassed in the 2018 offseason after interviewing for coaching vacancies with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets.
Howard has spent extensive time on the development of the Heat’s big men, credited for his work first with Hassan Whiteside and more recently with 2017 firstround pick Bam Adebayo. He coached the Heat’s 2016 summer-league team, his lone experience as a head coach on the NBA level. He has not previously coached collegiately.
Forward Udonis Haslem, who is mulling retirement, has previously said he does not envision a future in coaching, citing the travel and time away from his business interests.
It will mark the second consecutive offseason Spoelstra adjusts his staff, with several candidates now available after the changing of the staffs with the Lakers, Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. Among those released from assistant roles in those shakeups were former Heat forwards Ed Pinckney and James Posey, with former Heat guard Tim Hardaway still available after being let go as a Detroit Pistons assistant during the 2018 offseason.
Spoelstra made a minor tweak with his staff last season, with former Heat guard Anthony Carter added as a developmental coach, frequently remaining behind on road trips to work with injured or rehabilitating players.
Spoelstra previously returned assistant Dan Craig to his staff and added Octavio De La Grana as an assistant in 2016-17, after David Fizdale left to become coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, accompanied in that move by then-Heat assistant Keith Smart.
Prior to that move, the previous shakeup of Spoelstra’s staff came after the 2013-14 season, when Bob McAdoo was transitioned to a scouting role and Ron Rothstein to a broadcasting role, with former Heat guard Chris Quinn and Smart added as assistants.
Howard was added as a Heat assistant when Keith Askins moved into the front office after the 2012-13 season. That move came after Howard returned to the Heat roster for the later stages of the ’12-13 championship season.