The 2024 NBA Draft has concluded! The Miami Heat drafted both Indiana center Kel’el Ware and Arizona guard Pelle Larsson. Now, it’s time for Adam Simon, Pat Riley and the Heat brass to do what they really love: Hunt for undrafted free agents.
Let’s dive into it!
Keshad Johnson, F, Arizona
Here’s what I wrote about Keshad Johnson earlier today:
“Johnson is one of the most athletic players left in the class; he featured a 31.5-inch standing vertical, but had a combine-best 42-inch max vert when he tested. Johnson wasn’t a player that always popped off the box score at Arizona alongside Larsson, Caleb Love, Oumar Ballo and Kylan Boswell, but Johnson’s one of the best defenders left in the class. He’s versatile–he’s strong enough to guard up, but quick enough to hold his own against smaller guards.
He has a very strong base and center of gravity defensively. Johnson, who has a plus-four wingspan (6’10.25″) with a sturdy 225-pound build, had incredible instincts and can cover plenty of ground in a short amount of time–a premium in today’s spaced-out NBA. To top it off, he’s got an A-motor who positions his body well on- and off-ball with good hands.
Johnson was an abominable shooter in his four seasons at SDSU but improved to 38.7 percent from deep on fairly low volume last year. I would take a flier on him due to his physical tools alone, even though there will be development to be had offensively.”
Undrafted Keshad Johnson of San Diego State has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Miami Heat, sources said.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2024
The Heat will sign undrafted rookie Keshad Johnson to a two-way deal. (via Shams)
Johnson, 6’7 forward, averaged 11.5 points and shot 38.7% from 3-point range for Arizona last season pic.twitter.com/1EJC0ikyyJ
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 27, 2024
Zyon Pullin, G, Florida
The #Heat have signed UDFA Zyon Pullin to a two-way contract, per source pic.twitter.com/xYl4d8n0lU
— Ejarv Sports NBA (@ejarvsportsnba) June 27, 2024
Florida’s own Zyon Pullin has signed with the Miami Heat, per @ejarvsportsnba
🔥15.5 PPG
🔥4.9 APG
🔥44.4 FG%
🔥44.9 3P% (low volume; 21.9 3PAr)
🔥57.4 TS%@hothothoops @5ReasonsSports #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/ooMJzxhIuy— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) June 27, 2024
Steal of the draft! 🐊➡️🔥 https://t.co/Hlxr9dQ55o
— Gavin Ostrow (@GavinOstrow) June 27, 2024
Bryson Warren, G, Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Miami Heat have agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with Bryson Warren, league sources told @hoopshype. Warren played for Sioux Falls in the G League last season.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 27, 2024
I can confirm, Bryson is back in Miami https://t.co/okgVIqqWRq
— Major Passons (@Major_Passons) June 27, 2024
Isaiah Stevens, G, Colorado State
***
Sounding like Isaiah Stevens will get an opportunity in the Summer League with the Miami Heat
— Justin Michael (@JustinTMichael) June 27, 2024
OOOOOOOH LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!
One of the top pick & roll savants and overall one of the best playmakers in this class imho … and a freaking deadeye shooter.
I love love love this. @hothothoops @5ReasonsSports #HEATCulture https://t.co/6XCO7WOCMw
— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) June 28, 2024
This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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Very encouraging article on Kel’el Ware.
https://heatnation.com/editorials/5-reasons-the-miami-heat-struck-gold-with-no-15-pick-kelel-ware/
More articles on Ware.
https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-heat-had-plans-of-trading-up-in-draft-until-it-was-evident-kel-el-ware-was-available-01j1d7j405qd
https://www.si.com/nba/heat/reasons-why-heat-drafting-kel-el-ware-at-no-15-will-and-won-t-work-01j1fpcjfdht
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I’m ignorant to these selections but the excitement from these comments got me a little hyped!
Ware = Myles Turner-like (a guy this board has wanted to trade for because he could play with Bam, but never happened because Turner is the only man on this planet that Bam does not get along with)
Larsson = Swedish Thunder Dan or like Christian Braun on the Nuggets
Keshod Johnson = James Posey-like 3 & D guy
Zyon Pullin = bleeds Heat culture like a UD. Can live in the midrange like a slightly smaller DeRozan
Now give these guys over to Spo & Co. They are in good hands. Summer league is going to be lit.
Isaiah Stevens not too shabby either. Small, but a microwave type player.
2qbn, thank you for putting Heat fan descriptions for the new players. I’m even more hyped now, you two! I don’t watch college ball at all, so I never know what’s going on until the start of summer league and/or reading HHH posts during the offseason.
Speaking of savants, 2qbn gets his Pullin! What the hell? 😆😆
Let’s goooooooooooooooo! What a draft/collection of talent.
The Heat have the 7th highest payroll in the league. Higher than Lakers, Mavs, Cavs, Knicks, and Wolves, amongst others. The argument that the owners don’t want to spend money really doesn’t hold up. Now, if someone wants to argue how wisely it has been spent? That’s another story.
Cruises are booming right now. Mickey, it’s time to pay the tax. This could be Jimmy’s last year where he’s functional. 😉
If the right deal/player is available, yes, definitely.
Don’t be surprised if jimmy is a mid season trade out of here
I will be surprised.
If he and the team are doing well, I can’t imagine there will be a trade.
Holy crap, man. We have 3 good players (so far) with tools to work with. The Heat are absolute pro’s at this s**t. Let’s go HEAT!
That’s a guy expected to go in the 40s. Question is which 2 way will be released or signed to a regular contract?
I think Cain for sure. Possibly Alondes.
From a logical standpoint, since they picked up a big, a sf, and a sg, Williams makes sense on a minimum contract. Plays pg and better shooter than Cain.
Fantastic pickup! You want athletes, we got some.
And with a skill that can keep them on the floor!?!
Yes