The Miami Heat are still waiting to see whether Klay Thompson ends up in Dallas, but the search for shooting help may already have turned up a name inside their own building: Tre Donaldson.
Donaldson, who is on a two-way deal, has already started to draw attention in the Heat organization. He might not fit the usual mold of a big-name floor spacer, but he has put together enough shooting production to make himself worth tracking as the season approaches.
At Summer League, Donaldson knocked down 41 percent of his 3-pointers in combined play. That followed a four-year college run in which he hit 38 percent from deep. For a team staring at major questions about perimeter shooting, those numbers matter.
Miami’s lack of shooting looms as one of the biggest issues as this new era gets underway, and the Heat still seem to be hoping for outside help before the season starts. If Thompson or another elite shooter doesn’t arrive, the team may have to find answers internally. Donaldson could end up being part of that solution.
He is still a work in progress, and there are plenty of steps left before anyone can comfortably pencil him in as a real rookie-season contributor. But the fit is obvious enough to keep him on the radar, especially if he develops quickly enough to force the Heat’s hand later in the year.
It would not be the first time Miami turned to an overlooked player and found something useful. Even with the risk that comes with leaning on an undrafted free agent, Donaldson can’t be ignored as a possibility. He has the background, the skill set, and the chance to earn a look if the roster needs shooting and the calendar moves deeper into the season.
For now, the Heat are betting that Donaldson keeps building on what he has already shown. He has done the work, said the right things, and looks prepared for the opportunity in front of him. If Miami’s bigger plans fall through between now and training camp, that development could matter a lot.
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Heat Can No Longer Ignore A Growing Nikola Jovic Problem
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The problem is that Miami is no longer dealing with a promising young piece in the abstract. Jovics last season ended in disappointment, with his role shrinking badly enough that the Heat had to confront whether they had a rotation player or simply a contract commitment. Spoelstra has plenty of history finding the right usage for players with unique skill sets, but this one comes with a sharper edge because the financial stakes are now attached. Miami cant afford to let Jovic drift, and the next step in his development may decide whether this becomes a useful investment or an uncomfortable one. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Still Have One Roster Spot That Could Quietly Matter
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That is why a few free-agent names have surfaced as possibilities for Miami to weigh, with recent performances and fit driving the discussion. The Heat do not need to hit on a splashy addition here, but they do need to be thoughtful about who can handle the role, stay ready for NBA minutes and bring something practical to a roster that is far less forgiving than it was before the blockbuster move. [Read more 🡒]