The Miami Heat have moved into the next phase of roster building after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, and one of the biggest questions left is what happens with their second-round pick, Ryan Conwell.
There’s already some talk that Miami could keep its 15th roster spot open while it waits on a possible buyout from Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson. That would leave the Heat still tinkering at the edges of the roster, even after making their biggest splash.
Conwell gives them something different, though. The Louisville sharpshooter came in as a second-round selection, and the real debate now is whether a team loaded with established NBA talent can carve out minutes for him in his first season.
At a glance, it does not look easy. The Heat’s mix of returning players and new faces includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis and Nikola Jovic, along with Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, Myron Gardner, Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith, Pelle Larrson and Conwell. That’s a crowded group, and plenty of those names already have the kind of trust that comes with time in head coach Erik Spolestra’s system.
The shooting on the roster is part of what makes the path tougher. Miami has four players who shot over 40% from three last season: Wiggins, Gardner, Hardaway Jr. and Portis.
Mitchell was right behind them at 39.5%, while Fontecchio finished at 37.5%. Put that together, and you have six solid perimeter shooters already in the mix.
In a 9- or 10-man rotation, there just aren’t many openings.
Still, Conwell may have a way in. Veterans do not play every night over the course of a regular season, and the Heat will need players who can absorb minutes and keep the main pieces fresh through the grind.
His Summer League debut in Las Vegas did not showcase his jumper the way Miami probably hoped, as he shot just 25% from deep. But the flashes were there. He was asked to do more than he did in college, including creating for himself and for others, and the results were uneven.
What stood out most was the defense. Conwell brought heavy ball pressure, used his chest to stay in front of players, and leaned on a long 6-foot-7 wingspan to play a physical style. He did foul a lot, averaging 6 fouls per game, but Summer League allows 10, so that number is less alarming than it might sound.
That defensive edge is what could get him on the floor first. If the shot comes along, it could help him stick.
For now, the blueprint is simple: fit alongside the main guys, help out Giannis and Bam, defend, and be dependable in short bursts. If he earns trust with those limited chances, he could eventually push into the rotation for good.
Training camp will be the first test.
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