Ryan Conwell gave the Miami Heat a strong preseason jolt on Saturday, even if the scoreboard ended in a 125-124 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center.
With most of Miami’s key players sitting out preseason game No. 3, the spotlight shifted to the rest of the roster. Conwell made the most of it, showing far more than just the scoring touch that helped get him drafted. The rookie guard came off the bench and posted 22 points on 38.9 percent shooting, along with five rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 32 minutes.
The scoring part was never really in doubt. At Louisville during the 2025-26 college basketball season, Conwell averaged 18.8 points on 40.8 percent shooting in 34 games, all starts, while adding 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals. He topped 20 points in 15 games for the Cardinals.
What stood out Saturday was the passing. That side of his game hasn’t shown up nearly as often over his college career, where he had just 12 games with more than four assists across 138 total games. Miami has been looking for more playmaking help, too, especially after veteran Dru Smith suffered a right calf strain during training camp at Florida Atlantic University.
That gives Conwell a real opening heading into the 2026-27 regular season. He brings something a little different for a rookie because of his four years in college and the amount of basketball he’s already seen. He has played in several systems and, at least in this game, looked comfortable adjusting on the fly while still making an impact.
The Heat’s expected bench group includes Pelle Larsson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Bobby Portis Jr., but Conwell could push his way into that mix as another ball handler and facilitator. If Saturday was a preview rather than a one-off, he’s the kind of rookie who can earn Erik Spoelstra’s trust and end up sharing the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
He still isn’t drawing much Rookie of the Year buzz, though. Conwell is set to chase that conversation from outside the spotlight against Washington Wizards ’ AJ Dybantsa (No.
1), Utah Jazz’s Darryn Peterson (No. 2), Memphis Grizzlies ’ Cameron Boozer (No.
3), Chicago Bulls ’ Caleb Wilson (No. 4), and Sacramento Kings ’ Darius Acuff Jr. (No.
7).
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Heat Cap Pressure Is Building Around One Crucial Contract Decision
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Davion Mitchell is the name that makes the whole conversation more complicated. Miami has reason to value his impact and to expect outside interest if he keeps building on what he has shown, but the market can quickly turn a useful rotation guard into a tougher financial call than the team wants to make. The Heat have to decide how far they are willing to go before a sensible fit starts to look like a costly bet. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Suddenly Have A Real Backup Point Guard Decision
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Dru Smith's preseason injury created the opening, but it also pushed the Heat into a longer look at what each rookie can bring right now. Conwell has flashed enough playmaking to force the conversation, while Donaldson has kept himself in the mix with his own case for minutes, and Miami does not appear close to making anything official yet. For a team that always values guard play, this is the kind of camp battle that can shape a rotation long after the exhibitions end. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Face One Trade Deadline Question In Their Backcourt
The Heats search for backcourt help is starting to come into focus as the February trade deadline gets closer, and Miles McBride has emerged as a name to watch. Miami is reportedly interested in the Knicks guard as it looks to add depth behind its perimeter rotation, with New Yorks situation putting McBride squarely in the middle of the conversation. For a Heat team that has leaned on roster flexibility and opportunistic moves in recent years, this is the kind of market that can quietly shape the rest of the season.
New Yorks stance is what makes the situation worth following, because McBride is on an expiring contract and the Knicks have already paused extension discussions. That creates room for trade chatter, and Miami has been mentioned in discussions that could involve several moving parts, including Tyler Kolek, Dru Smith and Simone Fontecchio. The exact framework is still taking shape, but the Heat clearly have a decision to make if they want to get ahead of a crowded deadline market. [Read more 🡒]