The Miami Heat have 13 new players on the preseason roster from last season and have experimented with some different rotations. Erik Spoelstra, Andy Elisburg and Pat Riley have some decisions to make about how the 15-man regular season roster will shape up.
Through three preseason games, the Miami Heat have given Norris Cole the last two starts after Mario Chalmers started the first game. This is the most obvious, and probably most important, position battle. I could go into it, but I already did that here.
It’s also the only one involving a starting job. But behind the skirmish for the point is a series of battles among the bubble guys. Mainly, the last three roster spots are still up in the air. We can assume the following 11 guys are locks.
Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Shabazz Napier, Chris Andersen, Udonis Haslem and James Ennis.
The Heat have experimented with a few different starting lineups and minute allocations so far, which you can view in the table below.
It’s important to note that center Justin Hamilton hasn’t played as he recovers from a heart procedure and McRoberts hasn’t suited up due to his recovery from toe surgery. Also, Chalmers left the Cavs game early with a hip pointer.
Another notable absence is that of guard Reggie Williams, who has yet to see the court this preseason. In a crowded backcourt, Williams looks like a long shot to make the roster despite being signed earlier than Shannon Brown, who has seen plenty of time.
McRoberts’ injury has given the Heat a chance to see more of Shawne Williams, who started against Orlando. Williams has been solid, though not spectacular. He sets solid screens and tends to be in the right place on offense. On defense, he’s been turned around a couple of times but nothing Harden-level of severe–and he’s showing consistent effort.
Rookies Khem Birch, Andre Dawkins and Shawn Jones have had their moments, with Birch and Jones getting consistent minutes. Dawkins played well against the Cleveland, too. Again, because of that crowded backcourt Dawkins is most likely a candidate to make the D-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Between Jones and Birch, I suspect one at the most will make it as a deep bench big. Birch has clearly been the more impressive of the two.
Oct 4, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Miami Heat forward Khem Birch (14) battles New Orleans Pelicans center
Jeff Withey(5) and forward
Luke Babbitt(8) for a rebound during the second quarter of play at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
After coming back from 17 points down against Cleveland Sunday to force overtime, the Heat were down three with just seconds left. Napier fired a three from the top of the arc that missed, but Birch grabbed the rebound over two-or-three other Cavs and quickly passed back out to Napier. Napier missed the second attempt, but Birch put his team in position to tie the game and possibly win. That’s what you are asking for from guys like Birch, and it’s something the coaching staff surely noticed.
So taking a look at those who played this preseason (or are absent due to injury) the final roster spots will go to four of the following:
Shawne Williams, Shannon Brown, Khem Birch, Andre Dawkins, Shawn Jones, Chris Johnson and Justin Hamilton.
That means Reggie Williams and Tyler Johnson likely won’t make the squad.
Shannon Brown seems like a pretty good bet to make the final 15, and so does Shawne Williams since Spo clearly trusts him to play big minutes (even if it’s just preseason, that counts for something). Hamilton has experience with the Heat, and he would have had a much better opportunity if he wasn’t recovering from surgery. I still think he makes it to the beginning of the regular season.
That leaves one more spot, and it is quite obvious that Birch has the best chance of the rookies and Johnson.
As you can see, those final few spots aren’t held by major impact players. There is no rule that teams have to carry 15 players, but the minimum is 12. The Heat could opt to send Birch and Hamilton to the D-league rather than sit them at the end of the bench.
When other teams make their cuts, Riley will surely have his eye on the waiver wire to see if he can make a late addition that could help this team.