The Miami Heat are moving on from the California Classic and into the brighter lights of Las Vegas, where the summer league field gets bigger and the competition tightens up from July 9th-19th. A few roster spots already feel spoken for.
Myron Gardner is on a standard contract, rookie Ryan Conwell is on a standard contract, and steady point guard Tre Donaldson arrived on a two-way deal. That leaves a couple of two-way openings still in play, and three long shots trying to force their way into the picture.
One of the names drawing attention is White, who has stood out to Heat fans because of his size and shooting. Through two summer league games, he’s given Miami solid defense and a consistent burst of energy whenever he’s on the floor.
In the last game, the coaching staff even put the ball in his hands to see what he could create. The results were mixed - some rough shots, some mistakes - but he never lost his confidence.
He settled in during the second half and finished with a monster base line jam. If he can cut down the turnovers, hit threes and attack close outs, there’s a clear 3&D path for him.
The big swing factor is decision-making once the driving lanes disappear.
Hall brings a different kind of appeal. He’s a Swiss Army knife who can fit into a lot of lineup combinations because of his size and his ability to handle the ball.
Around the basket, his body control has been impressive, and he’s shown flashes of getting all the way to the cup. He’s also flashed some passing ability, and there’s a case for him to lean into that more.
On the glass, he’s done his job. Defensively, though, he’s not a shot blocker or a point of attack defender, so that end of the floor has to become a bigger part of his game if he wants to fit the Heat culture.
The tools are there.
Ian Schieffelin is the longest shot of the group. At 6’8”, 240lbs, he’s a rookie forward who is still working his way back into NBA shape after taking a year off from basketball to play football in college.
Even so, the big body comes with real skill. He has excellent footwork and touch around the rim, and his jump shot has a soft look that only needs minor tweaks.
He’s also been a rebounding machine. In a small sample at the California Classic, he was sixth in rebounding per game, even out-rebounding teammate Vlad Goldin, who is 7 foot tall.
Schieffelin also ranked fifth in the tournament in offensive rebounds with 3 per game and added 2 blocks. His energy stands out.
If he doesn’t land with the Heat, Sioux falls looks like the likely next stop while he gets into NBA shape.
In Other News...
Heat Fans Just Got The Answer On Khris Middleton Pursuit
Khris Middletons next move is now clear, and it does not send him to Miami. The veteran wing has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Wizards, a transaction reported by ESPNs Shams Charania that also ties in the Dallas Mavericks and closes the door on a pursuit that had lingered around the league.
For the Wizards, it is another step toward building a veteran core they believe can push into the Eastern Conference playoff race. Middleton is heading back to Washington after playing parts of the last two seasons there, giving the team a familiar piece as it tries to stabilize its rotation and add more proven depth. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Dream Scenario May Already Be Slipping Away
The Heats post-Giannis outlook has already shifted from dream-chasing to damage control. After swinging big to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami has little left in the way of premium trade chips, which is why any talk of another headline-grabbing addition has to be viewed through a much tighter lens than before.
Kevin Durant has naturally surfaced as the kind of name that keeps Miami in the conversation, but the path there looks far steeper than it sounds. With most of the valuable assets already spent in the Giannis deal, another blockbuster would come at a punishing cost, and the sense around the league is that this is not a realistic lane right now. If the Heat want to keep upgrading, they may have to think smaller, whether that means depth, fit, or a different kind of star hunt altogether. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Riley Just Sent Heat Fans A Conflicting Bobby Portis Message
After the trade that brought Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami, Pat Riley made it clear he sees Portis as more than a throw-in. The Heat president publicly praised Portis as one of the best power forwards in the league, a notable endorsement for a player whose game has long been defined by energy, scoring touch and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Portis arrives with a reputation for efficient offense after a season in which he produced 14 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 49% overall and 47% from three. The question for Miami is whether that production can translate into the kind of all-around impact the Heat will need, especially with the defensive concerns that have followed him and are unlikely to disappear just because the jersey changed. [Read more 🡒]