The Miami Heat will add a 2017 NBA D-League all-star guard to its roster with a 10-day contract.
The Miami Heat have signed guard Marcus Georges-Hunt, formerly of the NBA D-League’s Maine Red Claws, to a 10-day contract, the team announced.
Georges-Hunt, a 2017 NBA Development League All-Star, is averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 36.7 minutes while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three-point range. Hunt, 22, is 6-foot-5 and should be able to provide some floor spacing.
The Heat were able to sign him using the 16th roster spot granted by the NBA due to the hardship exception. That spot was occupied previously by Okaro White, who the Heat signed to a two-year deal earlier this week after waiving Derrick Williams.
This likely means that Josh Richardson will not be returning until at least after the All-Star break. Richardson has missed 14-straight games with an ankle injury, having last played on Jan. 6 in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The move comes after Dion Waiters injured his ankle against the Minnesota Timberwolves, making his status questionable. It’s possible the Heat may have opted to sign Briante Weber instead, but Weber recently signed on to play with the Golden State Warriors.
Georges-Hunt played four years at George Tech and was originally signed by the Boston Celtics after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. He will wear number 24 and join the team Thursday and be available for Miami’s game in Brooklyn on Friday.
To read more about how the NBA’s hardship exception is granted and used, you can click here for a story written when the Heat originally signed Okaro White.