Miami Heat: A two-way contract competition is heating up
Jeremiah Martin
Jeremiah Martin spent the 2019 Summer League with the Miami Heat, having been reportedly signed to an Exhibit-10 contract immediately following the draft. At Memphis, Martin averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Martin played in seven games with the Heat in Summer League, averaging 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Despite shooting 34.6% from three in his last season at Memphis, Martin shot a measly 1-11 from deep in Summer League.
This likely will be what would put Macon above Martin in terms of a developmental point guard prospect, as Macon is capable of knocking it down from that range. One thing to note though is Martin’s effectiveness with the ball in his hands. His stats were deflated due to having to share the ball with Tyler Herro, Robinson, Maten and Nunn, while also having to share the limited spotlight with Nick Weiler-Babb and Nick Mayo, who were also fighting for a roster spot on a team.
In the last game of Summer League play, Martin posted 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in a 33-minute outing. In order for Martin to make the roster, he would need to beat out Macon or play strong enough for the Miami Heat to consider bringing two point guards in on two-way deals, however unlikely that may be. Martin has a decent shot to land a two-way deal based on his strong collegiate showings, a decent Summer League finish, and because of how quick he was signed following the draft.
Martin played much less than Macon during the Miami Heat’s intrasquad exhibition, but if that translates to preseason or not remains to be seen. He posted four points on two-for-four shooting in the game but figures to give excellent competition to Macon in the preseason.
Mychal Mulder
Mychal Mulder, Bam Adebayo’s college floor-mate, is probably tied with Alexander for the longest odds to make the roster. Mulder spent two seasons at Kentucky before going undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, the same draft in which Adebayo was selected by the Heat.
The 25-year-old spent the summer playing with the Canadian national team and displayed some freakish athleticism at the combine. Even if he doesn’t make the Heat’s roster, he’s essentially a lock to play for the Skyforce and maybe earn a call-up as the season progresses.
Mulder averaged 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game last season for the Windy City Bulls, the G-League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls. More impressively is the fact that Mulder shot 41.3% from deep last season on seven attempts per game. In the Heat’s scrimmage, Mulder finished with nine points, one rebound, one assist and one steal on three-for-seven shooting from downtown.