Grading all the Miami Heat’s free agent acquisitions

The deal: Three years, $2.5 million dollars (minimum contract). The contract is non-guaranteed, with each year including a team player option.

Analysis: McGruder has yet to play a day in the NBA. He’s not elite in any area. But, he brings something ever NBA team needs – consistency. Over 48 games in the D-League last year, McGruder averaged 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.3%  from the field and 38.4% from three point range.  In the Orlando summer league, McGruder averaged 10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 53.3% from the field and 43.8% from three point range. Given a bigger role in the Las Vegas summer league, McGruder scored 41 points over the first two games while shooting 50% from three. McGruder’s Skyforce head coach,  Dan Craig said that McGruder was “Mr. Consistent”. Craig also thought McGruder was the most underrated player in the D-League.

McGruder is on a non-guaranteed minimum contract. It’s doubtful if he will ever be a starter in the NBA, but if he can give the Heat consistent minutes off the bench, he could stick with the team for a while. He’s completely a Heat style player – hard worker, defense first, knows his role.

On-court Impact: Meh.

Grade: B

Next: Overall Grade