Following the unfortunate season-ending injury to Dru Smith, the Miami Heat needed to pivot for several roster moves. Smith was in line and days away to receive the 14th and final open roster spot after the team traded away Thomas Bryant for a second round pick.
Instead, the Heat had to maneuver a a backup plan after Smith went down, thus converting Keshad Johnson to a two-year standard contract. But then that left another hole with the two-way slots, until they most recently promoted Sioux Falls Skyforce standout guard Isaiah Stevens.
Adam Simon, the head of Miami’s scouting department, made it a point to congratulate Stevens in person. He broke the news after the Skyforce’s most recent game in what was a special moment between Simon, Sioux Falls head coach Dan Bisaccio and Stevens.
The talented point guard was a key contributor to the Heat’s undefeated summer league championship roster, and the team has been high on his development ever since. Stevens has led the G-League in assists this season, averaging nearly 13 points and 10.8 assists per game. He has already built chemistry with plenty of the team’s young core in Johnson, Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larsson.
Miami has lacked a true offensive orchestrator for quite some time, and Smith’s devastating injury has only worsened that notion. But Stevens displays plenty of playmaking skills in his game that could work to contribute in that department. He is a fresh face that has put in the work to be ready for this opportunity.
Although a bit smaller in size being listed at 6-foot-0, Stevens has other key attributes that make up for that. He is a terrific passer with poise and control for the game whenever he is on the court. The guard has been efficient, shooting over 50% from the field and 94% from the free throw line in his Skyforce appearances. He had a game where he dished out a career-high 18 assists and had seven straight games with 9+ assists during a stretch this season.
It is fair to assume that it will be a lengthy amount of time for Stevens to get a chance in coach Erik Spoelstra’s system. However, he is an intriguing development piece that has a high IQ and natural born point guard abilities. That skill set is hard to come by, especially within young players.
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He could someday fill a need we definitely have now that Smith is gone. I get nervous watching anyone else on the Heat’s roster bring the ball up.