The Miami Heat clinched their first Summer League championship in franchise history on Monday night, edging out the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 in a thrilling overtime victory. It was an impressive team headlined by Kel'el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Alondes Williams, Keshad Johnson and Cole Swider.
However, it was Josh Christopher who stole the show, brought it home for the Heat with a dazzling performance, and was named Summer League championship MVP.
The 24th pick in the 2021 draft came through in the clutch repeatedly during this July showcase. There was the 20-point, fourth-quarter explosion vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, the clutch and-1 against the Golden State Warriors to send them to the Summer League Championship, and then his 24-point (six three-pointers) performance that included a step-back three-pointer from the logo.
Josh Christopher taking over at the end of a quarter... what's new?
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 23, 2024
He's on an 8-0 run of his own and has 13 points heading into halftime. pic.twitter.com/D8DPeOh1pN
This performance not only earned his squad the championship but also earned himself the Summer League championship MVP. Christopher has been in the Miami Heat pipeline since early January when he joined the team's G League affiliate in Sioux Falls. Since being waived by the Houston Rockets in 2023, he's kept his head down and put it in the work as he realized nothing is given in this league.
At this point in the offseason, Christopher is trying to play himself into a two-way contract for the Heat.
The Heat have 14 players on the roster and cannot add a 15th and stay below the second tax apron until midseason. But the organization can be flexible with their two-way contract spots, which can be swapped out at any time without impacting the team's payroll.
Teams can carry up to three two-way players on the roster, and you can debate from when the sun rises to when it falls who the other two should be, but Christopher should be a lock.
He's done everything he can to get his career back on track and he's done it while buying into what the Heat stand for. He's been selfless, humble and willing to do the hard work.
Though the Heat have given one of the two-way spots to Dru Smith, they should be looking to rescind that offer. Nothing against Smith, but the Heat have younger guys with more potential and it doesn't help that Smith is coming off of an ACL tear. Smith is a familiar face but he was absent from summer league as he recovers from his injury.
Yes, the Heat have been praised for the development of undrafted players and relative unknowns, but when have they had a former first-round pick in the pipeline with Christopher's raw talent (and is still just 22 years old)?
For a team that is pressed against the second apron, depth matters. If Christopher gets a two-way and then proves he deserves a standard contract later on, that is a huge win for the Heat. Christopher's ability to score could help a team whose offense tends to stall. Regardless, bringing him into the locker room is a smart move. It's rare to find an uber-talented player with a newfound hunger.
The Heat should offer Christopher a two-way contract as soon as possible.