The Miami Heat tip off their Summer League Friday night in San Francisco, Calif., in the California Classic. They will play three games in four days against the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, respectively, before converging with the other 29 teams in Las Vegas, Nev., next week.
What are a few storylines to watch? Let’s examine!
1. How does the Heat’s lone draftee play?
You can’t decide how well (or poorly) a player’s career will age based on their inaugural Summer League performance. But there’s always built-in excitement surrounding the most recent draftee(s) — which is former Louisville guard Ryan Conwell, in this case.
The Heat traded up and drafted Conwell with the No. 37 overall pick in last week’s draft. He averaged 17.3 points and 4.5 rebounds on 38.4 percent from distance over his final three stops at Indiana State, Xavier and Lousiville, earning All-Conference honors thrice.
Conwell’s an outstanding spot-up shooter with some wiggle on-ball. He’s also a capable — albeit aggressive — defender at the point-of-attack and does well in the passing lanes. Playing with a set of new teammates for the first time, how will he adjust? I guess time will tell.
2. Who wins backup PG job?
No, a backup point guard gig won’t technically be decided in a few measly Summer League games. But the Heat don’t have a third-string point guard behind Davion Mitchell and, presumably, Dru Smith, a defensive-minded vet.
Former Miami guard Tre Donaldson inked a two-way contract with the Heat immediately after the draft. The All-ACC guard is the closest this Summer League roster has to a lead guard, averaging 16.4 points and 5.7 dimes (2.1 TO) as a senior with the ‘Canes. They are also bringing back guard Jahmir Young, who finished last year on a standard contract, plus guards Meechie Johnson and Nate Kingz, among others.
3. Is there anyone else who sticks as a two-way?
For now, we know Donaldson’s on one of three available two-ways, with Conwell and Myron Gardner both on standard deals.
Who else sticks?
Does second-year center Vlad Goldin or veteran guard Trevor Keels resecure their spots after OK seasons with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (they offered Goldin the two-way QO, but not Keels, for what it’s worth)? Or does breakout candidates, such as Keyshawn Hall, Ian Schieffelin, Tre White or Kendall Brown, among others, net those spots? Or is it someone from a completely different organization who fills in those two-way contracts?
Last year, it was Myron Gardner, who spent two years in the Orlando Magic’s organization. Before then, it was Isaiah Stevens and Alondes Williams; before then, it was Jamaree Bouyea and Orlando Robinson.
Who breaks through that mold this time?
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Let’s go Heat!
Definitely looking forward to seeing what Conwell looks like. Can learn a lot from SL, Daniss Jenkins outplayed Reed Sheppard in one game last year for example. And not SL related but Larsson with 11 FTA in 29 minutes today in FIBA
myron gard and donaldson are two completely diff players .watched donaldson at the u little undersized i like gard i think of dillon brooks,hes a bad ass with skills.spo dont like him hes to nasty