Tuesday is the start of training camp for the Miami Heat, and there are many new faces on the roster since last season. Let’s take a look at the 20 players that make up the Heat’s training camp roster.
Starting Five
Goran Dragic: After coming over from the Phoenix Suns at last season’s trade deadline, Goran Dragic enters his first camp with the Heat. Dragic will be the engine of the increased pace in Miami this season, and he will likely spend much of camp trying to get the rest of his team up to speed.
Dwyane Wade: Spoelstra already said he won’t be limiting Wade this year and, even if he gives him a few breaks during camp, Wade will be participating as usual. With Dragic handling point guard duties, Wade will likely spend camp getting back to his off-the-ball ways of cutting to the basket and positioning himself in the post.
Luol Deng: Deng is practicing his 3-point shot from the corner, and he’s going to need to. Deng figures to be one of the floor spacers in Miami’s starting lineup, with he and Chris Bosh spreading the floor from the forward positions so that Dragic and Wade can attack the basket from the guard spots.
Chris Bosh: Returning from his scary trip to the hospital last season, Bosh says he’s perfectly healthy and ready for the season. Bosh is Miami’s best two-way player heading into camp, and the Heat will need him to be great if they want to compete at the top of the NBA.
Hassan Whiteside: Like Dragic, this is the first training camp for Hassan Whiteside with the Heat. After breaking out last season, Whiteside will seek to improve by running the floor better–something Spoelstra says he can do like a guard–and expanding on his moves on offense.
Sep 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Gerald Green (14) poses during photo day at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Key Reserves
Mario Chalmers: Chalmers enters training camp as the team’s primary backup point guard, back to his natural position after playing both the 1 and 2 last season. That should simplify things for Rio, who can focus on running the second team offense.
Gerald Green: Green is arguably Miami’s top free agent addition from the summer. Not only does he address Miami’s 3-point shooting woes, but he’s also a swingman who can step in for either Wade or Deng off the bench or as a starter in the case of an injury.
Justise Winslow: Rookie Justise Winslow should get plenty of playing time with the second team. While he’ll need to practice his shooting as the season approaches, Winslow is best when the ball is in his hands and he’s attacking the paint and making plays for others. Don’t be surprised if you see Winslow playing some point forward this season, and he should be practicing that during camp.
Josh McRoberts: Back healthy Josh McRoberts figures to be Miami’s first big man off the bench. He represents versatility for the Heat, who will be able to move Bosh to the 5 with McRoberts at power forward, or sub Bosh for McRoberts without losing the playmaking ability at the 4.
Other Bench Players
Amar’e Stoudemire: Free agent addition Amar’e Stoudemire figures to be Miami’s backup center, giving the Heat an experiences offensive producer off the bench. Stoudemire is a self-admitted role player at this point in his career, so he’ll focus on fitting in and helping where he can (probably in the post and mid-range on offense).
Chris Andersen: Andersen is the inverse of Stoudemire, who is a plus on offense and a negative on defense. Birdman will be the rim protecting option off the bench when spelling Whiteside at center. However, Andersen has been practicing his 3-point shot, so don’t be surprised if we see more of that.
Udonis Haslem: Haslem’s role during training camp, at this point, is as a locker room leader and teacher for young players.
Tyler Johnson: Johnson was impressive last season for the Heat, and he has earned this roster spot. Johnson projects as Miami’s No. 3 point guard, but you know he’ll be spending training camp trying to unseat Chalmers as Dragic’s primary backup.
Josh Richardson: Richardson was impressive during summer league, and he’ll look to build on that during camp as he develops into a 3-and-D NBA player.
Sep 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward James Ennis (32) takes a selfie during photo day at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Bubble
James Ennis: Pros — NBA experience, high motor, good rebounder; Cons — Poor ball handler at guard position, average shooter, struggles with consistency on defense.
Keith Benson: Pros — Good size at 6-foot-11, 230 pounds, played well during summer league; Cons — Minimal NBA experience, Heat are deep in the front court.
Corey Hawkins: Pros — 3-point specialist; Cons — A lot of competition at guard.
Tre’ Kelley: Pros — Good ball handler and experience running an offense; Cons — Size (6-foot-0) and age (30) signifies limited upside.
John Lucas III: Pros — Can score off the bench, handle the ball and run the pick-and-roll; Cons — NBA journeyman with clear limitations on defense.
Greg Whittington: Pros — Valuable commodity as a stretch-4, played well during summer league; Cons — Miami is deep at power forward, raw, could be better suited to develop in the D-League.
Final Word: Miami has 14 of its 15 roster spots figured out heading into training camp, meaning they will have a battle among the bubble players for the final spot. As the incumbent, it’s Ennis’ job to lose. However, Miami is deep on the wing and could use a backup guard–such as Lucas or Hawkins–or a promising stretch-4 like Whittington, more than Ennis. The 15th spot is up for grabs.