The Miami Heat have one roster spot left, and that opening has become a flexible piece of business under the hard cap.
With 14 of 15 spots filled, Miami can still make one more move while staying below the hard cap created by the steps taken to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman noted that the Heat “currently have the wherewithal to fill that 15th spot below the hard cap created by the machinations to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
One name that keeps surfacing is Gabe Vincent, and there’s reason to think Miami’s own people are comfortable with that idea. NBA insider Brett Siegel said Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra have both long been in Vincent’s corner.
“I would expect them to go guard for one of their final spots, I think a Gabe Vincent reunion there makes a lot of sense, especially since Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra have been big advocates for him ever since Summer League. I would think that it is very likely at this point that they would give that to Gabe Vincent if he's willing to take a minimum (contract) there.
I would expect them to go guard for one of their final spots. I think that Gabe Vincent, a reunion there makes a lot of sense," NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
Vincent was a popular figure during Miami’s Finals run, and his name has stayed in the mix for this opening. Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported that the Heat have considered Vincent and Cam Payne, though the team would prefer someone with more upside.
“The Heat have weighed the likes of veteran backups Gabe Vincent and Cam Payne, but would prefer to find someone with a better upside. They do need a placeholder for that spot, though,” Deveney wrote.
Vincent’s stint with the Los Angeles Lakers did not go the way he or the team hoped. Injuries slowed him down, and once he was back on the floor, he never quite settled in.
He has earned $37 million in his career, and Miami would be taking on relatively little risk by adding a shooter who has shown he can help when healthy. If it doesn’t click, the Heat already have plenty of shooting in place.
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Gabe Vincent has come up as a familiar name, and Cam Payne is also viewed as a possible option for adding experience and leadership in reserve minutes. Even with those possibilities in play, Miami is still taking its time on the decision, and the way it fills that spot should tell plenty about how the team wants to stabilize its guard rotation for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]