4 NBA D-League Players Miami Heat Should Consider Signing
By Wes Goldberg
Feb 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jordan Hamilton (1) drives to the basket during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
With the Miami Heat signing Tyler Johnson to a second 10-day contract out of desperation, the team is admitting it is in need of some added depth.
They struck gold when the signed young Hassan Whiteside, briefly assigning him to their D-League affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce before calling him up for good.
All of this has shown the Heat are on the prowl to add young depth and are looking at the NBA’s Developmental League to do so. Among D-League call ups this season include Whiteside, Johnson (twice), Shabazz Napier and Andre Dawkins.
With recent injuries to Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng and Chris Andersen (who has been in and out of the rotation with a variety of ailments this season) and the obvious unplayability of Norris Cole and James Ennis, it might be time to go back to trough.
The D-League has been a tool for many NBA teams this season. Aside from the Heat’s own uses and success, the New York Knicks have found a contributor in guard Langston Galloway and Quincy Miller and Tyler Thomas recently signed with the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies respectively.
NBA GM’s could miss on talented players for a variety of reasons, and it’s the team in desperate situations willing to give guys a second chance who could potentially strike gold with a D-League call up.
Teams can sign D-League players to a maximum of two 10-day contracts per season. Following are a few players who the Heat could consider giving a try out.
Next: A Potential Stretch-4