The Miami Heat has finally filled its 15th and final roster spot. After signing Myron Gardner to a standard contract and off his two-way deal, the Heat now has a maximum of 15 players on their roster.
Even though this is not exactly an all that surprising decision, it's certainly not necessarily the move that many Heat fans expected to see. Gardner has had his bright spots this season, but there was at least some expectation that this final roster spot was going to be used to help beef up their frontcourt.
Or, knowing how the Heat operates, by taking a flier on a buyout option.
In the end, the Heat's front office decided to give the nod to a young, versatile wing with some serious upside on the offensive end of the floor.
Myron Gardner has earned his right on the roster
Throughout this season, Gardner has not only taken advantage of his opportunities on the Heat's main roster, but he's also impressed during his time in the G League.
In nine games played with Sioux Falls, Garnder averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists on 43 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from 3-point range. Gardner's breakout season in SF comes after two solid seasons with the Osceola Magic.
He's truly made a leap in the Heat's developmental system.
Gardner has appeared in 26 games this season on the Heat's main roster and has even started four of those contests.
He may only be averaging four points and three assists per game, but he's been extremely efficient in the small stints he's played, averaging 46 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Making such big strides in his game through the first half of this season, there's hope that Gardner could slowly emerge as one of the team's next great developmental projects. He still has a ways to go, but the early results have been promising.
He's still not at the point where he's going to emerge as a consistent rotation player for the Heat, but he will give Erik Spoelstra some added depth on the wing. Especially considering how much the Heat has battled injuries so far this season, having Gardner on a full-time contract will certainly help on that front.
Gardner has conditional guarantees for the second and third seasons of this new three-year deal with the Heat, making this year the only fully guaranteed money.
Miami's roster is now likely locked in for the rest of the season.