5 Miami Heat players making a case to be the next developmental success

4. Cole Swider

Despite primarily playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League under his two-way contract, Cole Swider recently showcased his skills in extended minutes with the Heat. 

Swider's exceptional 3-point shooting has become a necessity for the team, especially when key players like Tyler Herro, Kevin Love, and Duncan Robinson were sidelined due to injuries.

This season, the 6-foot-8 forward has made appearances in 11 games for the Heat, accumulating a total of 55 minutes on the court. During the previous season, he played in seven NBA games for a combined 41 minutes while under a two-way contract with the Lakers. 

After shooting 50% on 3s in 14 G League games, Swider has made nearly 36% of his 3s at the NBA level despite the limited opportunity.

His recent performance with the Heat against the New Orleans Pelicans was even more remarkable, as he made 4 of 6 shots from distance. Before this game, Swider had struggled with his 3-point shooting, only making 5 out of 19 attempts (26.3%) in his limited playing time in the NBA this season. 

The forward was able to make a significant contribution to Miami's victory over the Washington Wizards this Easter Sunday. In that game, he made a combined 7 of 13 3-point shots during the only two NBA games where he played double-digit minutes this season. Overall, Swider has been on fire from beyond the arc this season, converting an impressive 49.3% of his 8.9 three-point attempts per game.

His impressive performance, setting new career-highs in points and 3-pointers made, has highlighted his elite shooting abilities. Spoelstra commended Swider's talent, emphasizing his impact on winning games. With a remarkable 3-point percentage in the G League and NBA, Swider has proven himself a valuable asset and find for the Heat.