Team to convert Silva deal, add 2-way player

MIAMI — Chris Silva’s dramatic rise from undrafted prospect to playoff-contender contributor is about to take another significant step, with the conversion of his Miami Heat two-way deal to a standard NBA contract.

The Heat will complete the machinations with Silva in time to the sign a replacement two-way player by Wednesday’s deadline for such agreements.

Teams are allowed a maximum of two-way players at a time.

The Heat last week released guard Daryl Macon from a two-way contract to add G League 3-point specialist Gabe Vincent, who currently is with their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The player added by Wednesday’s twoway deadline will have 24 days of NBA service available before the end of the G League season, otherwise required to spend the rest of his time with the Skyforce.

By signing Silva to a three-year contract, the Heat will assure themselves of Bird Rights at the end of that deal, therefore able to exceed the salary cap on a potential ensuing contract.

The signing of Silva will bring the Heat to the NBA maximum of 15 payers under standard contracts. The Heat have been limited to 14 such deals because of their place against the NBA hard cap. That limitation was put in place because of the machinations utilized to sign Jimmy Butler in July while over the salary cap.

Tuesday is the first day that

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Silva standard contract can remaining cap space.

The Heat remain above the NBA luxury tax, which could lead to additional cap maneuvering before the end of the season.

Because of the timing of Silva’s signing and NBA trade rules, he cannot be traded this season.

Silva, who thrived during summer league after being bypassed out of South Carolina in June, got off to a strong start this season before Derrick Jones Jr. returned from injury and coach Erik Spoelstra tightened his rotation.

A benefit of having Silva under a standard contract will be his availability for all team practices. Under his two-way deal, Silva’s practice days were limited in order for the Heat to maximize the 45 days he was allowed to be with the team.

By holding Silva out of practices, the Heat wound up never having to send Silva to Sioux Falls.

Silva is part of a low-cost Heat development program that also includes firstround pick Tyler Herro, undrafted guard Kendrick Nunn and forward Duncan Robinson, who at the end of last season was converted from a two-way contract to a standard deal similar to the one to be issued to Silva.

It has been an ongoing whirlwind the past few weeks for Silva, which included the NBA flying his mother from their native Gabon for their first time together in three years, and then Silva meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in the league’s New York offices during the team’s just-completed three-game trip. fit under the

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