No Roster Moves for the Miami Heat, What Gives?
By Wes Goldberg
With the guaranteed contract deadline passed and 10-day contracts available, the NBA has been bustling the last couple of days with player movement. We saw the Cleveland Cavaliers reload in 72 hours and multiple end-of-bench guys get waived.
The Miami Heat, seemingly needing to make a move to stay alive in the Eastern Conference, have been relatively quite save for waiving rookie guard Andre Dawkins.
So what does the move mean for the Heat, and why have they been so quiet?
Surya Fernandez has more for Fox Sports Florida.
"Tuesday marked the first day NBA teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. As far as whether any further moves were pending to fill the newly created roster slot, Spoelstra insisted “nothing is imminent.”“It could be filled at any time, that’s the whole point,” he said."
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Waiving Dawkins opens up a roster spot for the Heat, who still have the $2.65 million disabled player exception created by Josh McRoberts‘ absence available until March 10. That gives the Heat additional flexibility in case the right player or opportunity presents itself.
The team could have waived Justin Hamilton as well, a point I raised here, but ultimately it was pointless to rush to a conclusion on Hamilton, who is returning from a concussion, since 75 percent of his contract had already been guaranteed. The team can still waive him if they need the roster spot without losing much money.
What the Heat need is help in the backcourt. Obviously Dawkins wasn’t proving much on the practice floor if he wasn’t able to crack the rotation. The Cavs recently waived A.J. Price and the Wizards parted ways with Glen Rice Jr. but neither of them are immediate contributors.
The Heat could sign Khem Birch, Larry Drew II or Tyler Johnson off he Sioux Falls Skyforce in order to keep them from signing with other teams, too. Miami can use up to two 10-day contracts per player. This could become an option down the road, too.
Unlike when Josh Smith was surprisingly waived, Pat Riley and the Heat will be in position to make a move should the right player come available. Until then, I don’t see this team rushing to fill the 15th roster spot with just anyone.