In a league that comprises 510 roster spots and only 60 draftees per season, it is a common practice for every team to utilize undrafted players. Last season, the Miami Heat remarkably emerged as the fourth team in league history to employ a minimum of five undrafted players in at least 65 games, as per research conducted by ESPN Stats & Information. Amongst these four teams, the Heat stood alone with a winning record.
Miami has truly mastered the skill of finding diamonds in the rough, as proven by undrafted players such as Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Caleb Martin, to name a few. The Heat have achieved victory by turning their necessity of player development into a unique advantage.
The Heat exemplify their commitment to player development by showcasing the highest percentage of points scored and minutes played by undrafted players compared to other playoff teams. With many undrafted players on their roster, Miami stands out as a team that values overlooked prospects and projects. These players do not see themselves as undrafted, but rather as integral members of the team who carry a chip on their collective shoulders. Here are five players making a case to be the next developmental success.
5. Haywood Highsmith
After his two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and their G League affiliate team, the Delaware Blue Coats, Highsmith joined the Heat in December 2021 as a reserve player. Since signing a standard three-year contract in March 2022, he has emerged as an exciting and promising talent. His defensive skills, versatility, and occasional offensive brilliance have made him a favorite among fans. In addition to his natural talent and abilities, Highsmith's unwavering self-belief has transformed him from an underdog to a strong contender for a spot in the team's rotation.
He quickly earned the respect of Miami’s coaching staff. He impressed them with his versatility on both ends of the court, and exceptional defensive abilities, including his proficiency in guarding positions 1 to 4, protecting the paint, and defending the 3-point line.
Like his teammate Caleb Martin, Highsmith is an undersized forward, but he doesn't let that hinder him. With enhancements in his offensive game and a more well-rounded skill set, he has the potential to be a dominant force on the court. Highsmith's versatility in defense, shooting, and rebounding makes him a valuable role player.
As a strong and athletic forward, Highsmith is also a reliable rebounder for his size. Although he is already recognized as one of the team's top defenders on the perimeter, having an outside shot that opponents respect would also make him a formidable threat on offense.
While Highsmith's tenacity in guarding the ball is commendable, his 3-point shooting percentage of 37.1%, along with his volume of shots were relatively low, never exceeding 37 3-pointers in a single season during his previous three seasons. Highsmith worked on his 3-point shooting a lot last season and at training camp.
Highsmith has proven that a willingness to improve and work hard pays off. This season, he’s shown a drastic improvement in his 3-point shooting and is more of a valuable role player and key contributor on the wing. Arguably, he is currently experiencing the most impressive stretches of his career in terms of 3-point shooting. Previously considered a non-factor from beyond the arc, he is now a major reason for Miami’s 3-point shooting success alongside sharpshooter Duncan Robinson.
In a recent three-game stretch, Highsmith made 12 of 13 shots from beyond the arc. If he can build upon his promising performances from last season, it could greatly benefit the Heat in the playoffs. Haywood’s growth and development could prove to be advantageous for the team in the long run.
Highsmith’s chances of making it into the Heat’s playoff rotation have greatly improved with his ability to defend, but mainly due to his consistency on both offense and defense. Following the forward’s impressive performance of scoring 20 points by making 5 out of 6 shots from the 3-point line in the Heat's dominant 60-point victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, Spoelstra commented that Highsmith is currently playing the best basketball of his entire career.
“It means a lot coming from coach Spo,” said Highsmith. “This is the time of year you want to play your best basketball, end of the season, going into the playoffs.”
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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.
3. Jamal Cain
Forward Jamal Cain was not selected in the NBA draft but later joined the Miami Heat on a two-way contract for his rookie season in 2022. Despite his exposure to NBA-level play being primarily through practices and scrimmages, he impressed Miami after showcasing his skills during the Summer League and preseason games. Throughout his time in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Cain played in 25 games and averaged an impressive 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He also displayed great shooting accuracy, with a field goal percentage of 55.6% and a 3-point percentage of 36.2%.
During the 2022-23 NBA season, Cain had the opportunity to participate in 18 regular season games with the Heat. He made a significant impact on the court, averaging 13.3 minutes per game and contributing 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. His shooting percentages remained consistent, with 56.1% from the field and 35.0% from beyond the arc. These statistics marked a career-best for Cain, and he maintained his efficiency throughout his limited NBA experience.
As a versatile athlete, he possesses the ability to play either forward position. His athleticism allows him to capitalize on opponent mistakes and score easy baskets, as evidenced by his average of 1.3 steals per game in the G League. Additionally, Cain has been showcasing his explosive leaping ability. His time with the Skyforce has also allowed him to refine his skills as a self-creator and perimeter shooter.
Cain's versatility fills a need within the team, as Miami has a history of valuing tenacious rim rattlers and has often utilized smaller lineups at the power forward position to enhance versatility. Furthermore, his performance during his professional career thus far indicates that his athleticism and shooting range are effective at the NBA level.
However, Cain understands that his success in the NBA will heavily rely on his defensive abilities. He is focused on honing his skills to not only defend against the league's top players but also to excel within Miami's demanding system. He aims to seamlessly integrate into the team's cohesive unit, which is known for its ability to adapt and disrupt opponents.
The 6-foot-7 forward has improved his outside shooting (36.8% on 3-pointers for Sioux Falls this season). Coaches are urging him to bulk up and enhance his off-ball movement. In a system that has seen players thrive, Cain can continue to earn playing time as part of the Heat's rotation with his defensive prowess.
“I was really encouraged by his improvement this year,” coach Spoelstra said to the media regarding Cain before the first round of the playoffs last season. “He has a great spirit about him. “Every single day he comes in with a smile on his face. He loves to work. He loves to compete.”
2. Alondes Williams
Dynamic guard Alondes Williams has impressed many with his scoring abilities in the G League this season. However, it was his overall game development that truly stood out to the Heat. This led to the organization waiving RJ Hampton and offering Williams a two-way contract in February. Williams excels on both ends of the court and has shown his ability to score efficiently. His impressive performances in the G League have earned him a promotion to the professional level with the Miami Heat.
His impressive stats with the Sioux Falls Skyforce include averaging 22.6 PPG, 6.5 APG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.0 steals on 53.6% from the field, and 39.4% from beyond the arc over 16 games as the starting SG for Skyforce.
Williams possesses great potential and versatility, making him a valuable asset to the team. In a recent G League game, he displayed his natural athleticism and confidence by breaking records with 55 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Upon signing his two-way contract, Williams expressed his gratitude for the recognition of his hard work and dedication and the satisfaction it brings.
“It always feels great to be recognized for your hard work and dedication every day, waking up every morning and going into grind mode with your team,” Williams said to the Miami Herald after signing his two-way deal with the Heat.
Spoelstra praised Williams for his coachable nature and positive attitude during his time in Sioux Falls. The future looks bright for Miami's newest development project. Williams has the potential to follow in the footsteps of successful players like Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, and Haywood Highsmith.
"He's extremely coachable," Spoelstra said to Sports Illustrated. "He had a very positive approach in Sioux Falls and we're happy to reward somebody like that."
1. Orlando Robinson
Since Bam Adebayo became the Heat's starting center in the 2019-20 season, the team has struggled to find a reliable backup big man. As the Heat cycled through the likes of Dewayne Dedmon, Omer Yurtseven, and Cody Zeller, Orlando Robinson emerged as a potential option. He went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft but participated in the Heat's Summer League program for two consecutive years.
After Robinson spent most of his rookie year on a two-way contract, the Heat promoted him to a standard roster spot last summer. The 7-footer averaged 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 14.3 minutes, shooting an impressive 52.5% from the field. Robinson has demonstrated improvement as a rebounder and has displayed skill in shooting from different levels, even though he lacks vertical athleticism.
During this 2023-24 season, Robinson is putting up 3.3 points, 1.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Despite his lack of playtime this season due to the utilization of Thomas Bryant as Adebayo’s backup center, Orlando always makes his minutes count.
“He makes you respect his fortitude and his grit,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald about Robinson last month. “He is relentless with his work, with his approach, with his commitment to earn trust from everybody and he does it with a competitive spirit. He gets better each month.”