4 NBA D-League Players Miami Heat Should Consider Signing
By Wes Goldberg
Oct 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Bryce Cotton (26) in action against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
4. Bryce Cotton (PG, Austin Spurs)
I’ve never watched this guy, but what from I’m reading I think I like the fit. Here’s the breakdown: He’s small but has the skills. When scouring the D-League, you can’t be picky. There is a reason these guys aren’t in the NBA and sometimes it’s something as simple as “that guy’s not big enough, we don’t want to take the chance on him.” Like I said, desperate teams take chances.
Now I’ll hand it over to John Cannedy of RoadtotheAssociation.com, who is much more versed in the D-League than I.
"Bryce Cotton’s style of play remind a lot of people of the Chicago Bulls spark plug Aaron Brooks. He’s generously listed at 6’1 and while he usually plays point, he is the most comfortable at the shooting guard position. Cotton is super quick, has a deadly jump shot and rarely takes shots out of his range as evidenced by his 46 percent shooting while averaging 20.7 points on the season (one of the top PG averages in the NBADL). According to a report, Cotton has turned down a few overseas offers because he believes that he is very close to an NBA team calling for his services and I agree."
The D-League ranks him as the No. 11 overall prospect.
"Led the Big East in scoring and assists per game as a senior. Undersized at NBA level. Developing a feel for when to distribute and when to look for his own shot. Range has stretched out to NBA three-point line, and has been thriving in pick-and-roll-heavy system."
He’s thriving in the pick-and-roll and can score like Aaron Brooks? Sounds better than what the Heat are working with. Chalmers can score but can’t run the PnR. Napier can navigate screens and pass but can’t score. Why not give a guy who can do a bit of both a shot?