The Miami Heat have been one of the most active teams in free agency this offseason. They signed three free agents and re-signed five players from last year’s roster.
All of their moves add up to a roster total of 12 players. An NBA roster has to be 14 players at the minimum and 15 at the maximum, with two two-way spots available on top of that.
This means that Pat Riley will have to fill out at least two more roster spots this offseason, and will most likely add three players to make it 15. Then he would also get to sign some two-way guys.
Who else is going to be on the Miami Heat at the start of next season? What players will fill out the final three roster spots this offseason?
The obvious choice for a Miami Heat roster spot
Miami Heat roster spot #1: Udonis Haslem
Udonis Haslem stated at the end of last year that he would be returning for another season. There’s nowhere else he would be signing.
Though it has not been made official yet, Haslem will almost certainly be on the Heat’s roster at the start of next year. There are three roster spots left and one if all but reserved for him.
If Haslem is not on the roster it will be because he decides to retire or transition into a coaching role. However, based on what he said last year, he’ll be playing again.
Hopefully, this means we’ll get to see him go at it with Dwight Howard again. That was a moment Miami Heat fans will never forget.
The final two roster spots on the Miami Heat
Miami Heat roster spot #2: Omer Yurtseven
Omer Yurtseven has been absolutely dominating the Summer League so far this year. He’s been playing so well that the Heat will likely give him a multi-year deal.
They signed him near the end of last season, meaning they have non-bird rights on him. This will allow them to sign him to a deal for as long as four years.
Yurtseven has been a double-double machine so far and is absolutely dominating opponents in the post. On top of that, he’s also a great three-point shooter.
There are certainly some things that he has to work on, but the potential is there. Expect the Miami Heat to sign him by the end of the offseason.
Miami Heat roster spot #3: James Ennis
The Miami Heat need to add some wing depth, and James Ennis could provide them with just that. He’s exactly the type of player the Heat have been targeting this offseason.
There has been a trend so far with the Heat this season. They have signed gritty players who are solid defenders and play with a ton of intensity.
This description fits Ennis to a tee. He is a solid three-point shooter who leaves it all on the floor and would be a great backup wing off the bench.
Miami could give him a minimum contract, or if he wants more, offer him the bi-annual exception of around $3.9 million. Either way, Pat Riley should definitely see if there is mutual interest there.
The two-way spots on the Miami Heat
Miami Heat two-way roster spot #1: Marcus Garrett
Marcus Garrett has been playing too well in the Summer League not to be on the Heat’s roster this season. If there’s anyone who deserves a shot it’s him.
He could honestly earn a normal NBA contract, but a two-way deal seems much more likely. He’d be getting a decent amount of playing time, anyways, since Victor Oladipo will be out for a while.
The 6-5 combo guard is an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor. He tallied 10 steals in his first two Summer League games alone.
It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Garrett got offered a real contract, but the Heat will likely prioritize signing a veteran with that spot. However, Garrett deserves a two-way deal at the very least.
Miami Heat two-way roster spot #2: Dru Smith
Dru Smith has also been playing for Miami’s Summer League team. Though Garrett and Yurtseven have stolen the spotlight, Smith has looked solid so far.
He’s a 6-3 guard who played two years at Evansville and two years at Missouri. Smith is a solid shooter who can handle the ball well, which is exactly what the Heat need considering their lack of guard depth.
Smith has struggled to shoot efficiently in the Summer League thus far, but it hasn’t mattered. The thing that has stood out the most is that he just looks comfortable out there.
He has the potential to turn into a solid shooter and is already a decent playmaker. Smith has definitely deserved a two-way spot with the Miami Heat.