Walton, Jones will remain on two-way contracts
Both players have been contributors in stints with Miami.
CHICAGO — The Heat are sticking with their two players on two-way contracts.
Monday was the deadline for signing players to the newly created contracts, which allows teams to carry two extra players, but those players are limited to 45 days on the NBA roster with the rest of the season being spent on that franchise’s developmental league team. The Heat have had Derrick Walton Jr. on a two-way contract all season. On Dec. 31, they signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-way contract after waiving Matt Williams Jr.
“We’re probably a great case study for the relevance of the two-way player,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Our guys have developed in Sioux Falls, but have also helped us win games here.”
Additionally, the Heat were expected Monday to apply for the disabled player exception, which would give them about $5.5 million to add an additional player.
The Heat can trigger the exception to replace Dion Waiters, who will miss the rest of the season after the team announced he would undergo surgery on his left ankle. Miami can use the money to sign or trade for a player, but one only on an expiring contract. The Heat, though, would have to create a roster spot to add a player.
Miami never announced a timetable for Waiters’ return, but Waiters was told if he had the surgery after the initial injury, he would have missed eight to 10 months.
Walton and Jones have contributed to the Heat. Walton has played in 12 NBA games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 assists in 8.8 minutes. Jones has played in four games for the Heat, including starting last week in Toronto and Indiana, averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.6 minutes.
Both players were sent to Sioux Falls last weekend to participate in the G League Showcase and played a big role in the Skyforce’s 108107 victory over the Raptors 905. Jones scored 30 points, while Walton added 25.
Jones rejoined the Heat on Sunday and Walton remained with Sioux Falls. Jones has 16 remaining days, while Walton has 12.
“Just in this short period of time with us, he’s helped us win two games. He spent a lot of time with us developing and he’s helped Sioux Falls win an important game,” Spoelstra said of Jones. “So all of it I think is great. I think the most important thing is investing in players. Giving them a different contract than a normal G League contract, but they should be allowed to play as many days in the NBA as possible.”
Spoelstra is not a big fan of players being limited in their time with the NBA team.
“It’s still a little big clumsy,” he said. “I hate having to look at the clock and see how many days they have available. If guys are contributing, there shouldn’t be a limit to how many games they have to play, and our guys have been able to take advantage of both.”
Dragic earns weekly honor: Guard Goran Dragic was named Eastern Conference player of the week for the second time this season.
Dragic led the Heat to a 3-0 record. He averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 50 percent, including 46.2 percent on 3-pointers. He led the team in points in all three games. Dragic scored at least 20 points in each game, matching his season high for consecutive 20-point games.
This is the fourth time the 10-year veteran has captured the award, including Nov. 27. His others came in April of 2012, when he played for the Rockets, and February 2014 when he was with the Suns.
Dragic is the fourth player in the Eastern Conference to earn the award on multiple occasions this season.
This marks the 56th time a Heat player has won the weekly honor, led by Dwyane Wade and LeBron James with 19 each. The Heat had two players named Player of the Week last season: Hassan Whiteside in March and Waiters in January.