Jul 18, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Miami Heat guard Tony Taylor dribbles the ball through center court as the first quarter of play begins against the Chicago Bulls during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat concluded Summer League competition last night with an 89-91 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
It was a surprise the Heat, the only team to compete in both Orlando and Las Vegas, even got that far. And some players on its summer league roster were impressive during the run.
Of the Heat’s offseason moves, Chris Andersen was resigned and Mike Miller was amnestied. It also seems that if the team gets its way, it will sign either Marcus Camby or Greg Oden.
But Pat Riley would also like to add a wing player to replace Miller. The Heat participated in both summer leagues for a reason and would likely like to keep on or two players from its summer team and bury them in its new D-League partner the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Of those players, James Ennis, for whom the team traded into the NBA Draft to select, D.J. Kennedy, Ian Clark and James Nunnally are the lead candidates to land a roster spot in Miami.
Jul 18, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Miami Heat guard D.J. Kennedy drives into Chicago Bulls guard Kyle Gibson while dribbling the ball during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavillion. The Heat won the game 68-62. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
We wrote a piece of Ennis already. You can read it here.
From a position stand-point, Ennis is the best of the bunch to replace Miller. At 6-7, 200 pounds, he is a capable three-point shooter and more athletic than Miller. Like Mike, he can play the two and three.
If the team is looking to simply gain back Miller’s three-point ability, Ian Clark is the obvious candidate. He lit it up during Orlando Summer League play.
Alex Monseth wrote a piece on Clark that you can read here.
But Clark (6-3, 175 pounds) is signed with Golden State trough Las Vegas play and it might be difficult for the Heat to get him back.
If Clark doesn’t work out, the Heat can go with either D.J. Kennedy (6-6, 215 pounds) or James Nunnally (6-7, 205 pounds).
Both guards are good scorers on the summer league level and can score in bunches. They found some rhythm in summer league coach Dan Craig’s offense. While both play guard, they each have the frame to develop into a small forward.
The Heat has 13 of 15 roster spots filled. Ennis technically is on the roster, but that is far from secure. So the team has two spots it can use to add young talent.
We can assume the team want’s to use one of the two openings on a center — Camby or Oden.
Then it comes down to if the Heat value one of its summer leaguers more than a proven commodity on the market.
My guess? The Heat keeps Ennis’ draft rights and sends him to play in Europe so he wouldn’t take up a roster spot; and the Heat sign a center and an experienced wing player.