Miami Heat: Who Should Be The Two 2-Way Guys – Polarizing Much?
The assumption is that everyone would have agreed, Marcus Garrett and DeJon Jarreau would be the Miami Heat’s rook one and rook two of the two-way contracts.
Rich’s Thoughts (@followthepen)
This one should have been an easy call. But so should James Harden‘s travels.
In other words, always anticipate the unexpected in the NBA. Especially when the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets informative texts that cast doubts:
Per source, Heat has conveyed interest in signing undrafted Houston guard DeJon Jarreau, who impressed in summer league, but hasn't conveyed whether Miami will offer two-way deal or Exhibit 10 deal. Miami has its 2 2-ways available; those players can play 50 NBA games next season
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 19, 2021
Interesting. Nonetheless, it was not enough insight to shake confidence.
Until, Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness let it be known that this was not just about prolonging the inevitable. Jarreau was signing with Miami’s forever-rival, the Indiana Pacers.
In a partial pivot, the Heat should set their sights on Garrett and a name that might be a polarizing one. That would be LiAngelo Ball.
In Garrett, the Heat get a former college Defensive Player of the Year, who showed a pertinence for picking Summer League pockets at a 2.8 steal per game clip. It is unknown if his 43 percent three-point shooting will sustain, but his defensive impact will translate.
On another accord, Ball would be strictly a developmental pick. The use of two-way contracts in Miami have mainly focused on one thing above all—shooting.
Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus have all been hired as gunners from behind the line. Not to put Ball in that class, but his Summer League showed flashes of hustle and three-point shooting potential.
One game saw him shoot as high as 63 percent from behind the three-point line and another showcased a percentage as low a 25. If the Heat have faith that their system would bump Ball’s five-game average (35 percent) a bit, they should jump to develop another hungry shooter while the Charlotte Hornets drag their feet.
Similar to the way Indiana pounced on Jarreau. Garrett and Ball could be two 6-foot-5 splashes.
Hopefully, not in a hoop versus hype type of way.