Miami Heat to get extra two-way slot, plus RFA changes that could impact their offseason
This is part two of our series on how the new CBA impacts the Miami Heat.
For a full breakdown on the new luxury tax bracket and an increase in the full mid-level exception, check out part one here. Here, we’ll discuss two more minor changes to the CBA that the Heat can use to supplement their roster in the offseason.
Third Two-Way Contract
Currently, NBA teams are allowed to have two “two-way” players on their roster who can play in both G League games and up to 50 NBA games.
The Heat might be the best organization in the league when it comes to discovering and developing talent. They have utilized their two-way spots quite well since they were introduced in 2017.
The latest success story, Haywood Highsmith, has been a pleasant surprise this season, particularly on defense.
Here's almost a minute long video of Haywood Highsmith playing good defense
— John Jablonka (@JohnJablonka_) April 8, 2023
I honestly watched this game mainly looking for Haywood on that end. He just does all the little things well & does a lot of them pic.twitter.com/AupVcesjxd
Let’s not forget the Heat’s two current two-ways, as they have logged productive minutes as well. The 22 year old Orlando Robinson, out of Fresno State, filled in as a backup center for 27 games between December and February.
Although the numbers weren’t glamorous (3.7 points per game on 54% shooting and 4 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game), he did what he needed to do in providing reliable minutes behind Bam Adebayo.
He wasn’t needed much after the All-Star break when the team acquired Kevin Love and Cody Zeller, but his progress was noticeable and he could be in line for another year of two-way duty, or get a standard contract depending on what happens with restricted free agent Omer Yurtseven and Love, an unrestricted free agent.
Orlando Robinson. Get familiar. Minnesota did 😤
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 27, 2022
The Brief // @BioSteelSports pic.twitter.com/xtSe9fpXYj
As for forward Jamal Cain, he only appeared in 18 games, but his last two games of the regular season offered a glimpse into the player he could grow into. He scored 30 points combined, and only missed five out of 15 shots. Erik Spoelstra has praised him throughout the season, and there are hints of a rotation player.
Given the organization’s track record (Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent also started with the Heat on two-way contracts), it’s easy to imagine how this could benefit the Heat.
Another developmental slot could be key in providing depth for next season. The Heat will be burdened with a very expensive roster next season, and two-way players don’t count against the cap.