Could summer league standout Justin Robinson make the Miami Heat?
By Wes Goldberg
Miami Heat summer leaguer Justin Robinson is trying to be the latest in a run of small point guards to make an impact in the NBA.
As NBA Summer League trudged along, someone had to emerge for the Miami Heat. In Las Vegas, that person has been Justin Robinson.
The 5-foot-8 Robinson had 22 points and eight assists against the Clippers on Thursday. This, after hitting the game-winning layup against the Wizards earlier in the week. Robinson is averaging 12.5 points and 3.3 assists in 21.1 minutes per game in Las Vegas.
The comparisons to the similarly bite-sized Isaiah Thomas are easy to make. Thomas, who was the 60th overall pick in his draft, has emerged as one of the most dangerous scoring point guards in the league. He helped lift his Boston Celtics to the conference finals last season while forcing his way into the MVP conversation.
It’s reckless to compare Robinson to Thomas, but the Boston guard has, at least, paved the way for smaller guards to get a chance. Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis and Dallas’ Yogi Ferell are the latest examples. With his strong showing down the stretch of summer league, Robinson may have a chance to prove himself on an NBA roster.
Read More: Get to know the Miami Heat’s summer league team
Robinson was the two-time player of the year for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and lead Monmouth to the conference’s regular season championship. He averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 40 percent on seven 3-point attempts per game.
A small guy at a small school, he’s used to being overlooked. Via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
"“I go into situations thinking like, ‘What do I really have to lose?’ ” he said. “Where I’ve made it so far is already leaps and bounds farther than anybody thought that I would ever make it.“To be here is a blessing, but I’m trying to be here and compete and not just be here. I want to be here and prove that I belong. Because I feel like that I belong.”"
So can he make the team?
Miami currently has 13 players under contract, with Udonis Haslem expected to sign as the 14th. The Heat may be open to bringing back Luke Babbitt as well. However, even if that were to happen, one of its spots is taken up by A.J. Hammons, who came over in the deal that sent Josh McRoberts to Dallas. Miami could clear a position by waiving his measly contract.
Robinson could fill a need for the Heat. They don’t have a true point guard on the bench and, in the event that Goran Dragic misses time with injury, could use a lead ball handler.
However, Robinson is likely not ready for that kind of responsibility. Plus, Pat Riley doesn’t believe the team needs a true backup point guard what with so many ball handlers on the roster.
If Robinson was to make the team, it would likely be as one of their two-way players. The NBA is introducing new two-way contracts this season for players to participate in both the G-League (formerly the D-League) and in the NBA. They are allowed to appear in a maximum of 45 NBA games while on such a contract, and can make up to $275,000 a season, per 2ways10days.com.
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This seems like an ideal spot for Robinson, who is limited only by his size. He has the shooting stroke and talent, and spot minutes against NBA competition could give the Heat a better idea of how he stacks up against elite competition. Also, if there ever was a need for a true point guard off the bench, they could call up Robinson for up to 45 games.
Summer League is not over, and the Heat can look outside its own team to fill those two-way contracts, but Robinson is putting himself in the conversation. He won’t be overlooked.