We are now three days removed from the conclusion of Summer League, capped by the Miami Heat capturing their first-ever Summer League title over the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing 6-0 in Las Vegas and 8-1 overall. Now it’s time to evaluate some individual performances! Below, I put on my professor cap and grade each Heat player’s Summer League in consummate–relative to expectation. Though I limited it to players who played at least 50 total minutes, leaving us with 10 players to grade. Without further ado, let’s jump into it!
Alondes Williams
Skinny: Williams, who ended last season with the Heat on a two-way, had a slow start to Summer League. But he capped it off on a high note, tallying 21 points and six assists on 8-of-16 shooting and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. He also had one of the most electric dunks you’ll see all year. Nevertheless, it was still a disappointing summer for Williams, relative to expectation, and I’m unsure how willing the organization will be to keep him around after retracting his two-way qualifying offer.
Grade: B+
Caleb Daniels
Skinny: Daniels didn’t have great counting stats, averaging 6.0 points, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals on 40.6 percent shooting and 55.0 percent true shooting. Though his energy on the defensive end–including the glass–stood out the most. He’s still a tier or two below earning a two-way, but he’s shown clear improvement from this point last year.
Grade: B
Cole Swider
Skinny: We knew Swider could shoot. He was a career 46.1 percent 3-point shooter in the G-League and he canned a team-most 26 3-pointers in eight games at a 49.1 percent clip. Though after three NBA seasons, he hasn’t made considerable strides in any other part of his game at the G-League level–especially defensively (outside of rebounding)–making it difficult to justify a return to Miami. You wanted to see those strides in Summer League, but it wasn’t there with his overall impact being minimal. It’s worth noting the Heat retracted his two-way qualifying offer earlier this offseason, and I don’t think he has a convincing enough argument to earn the two-way over, say, Stevens.
Grade: B-
Isaiah Stevens
Skinny: While he didn’t get the notoriety that a pair of his teammates got, Stevens was one of the Miami Heat’s biggest winners in Summer League. He was one of the top pure points guards in Summer, averaging 6.9 assists to just 2.4 turnovers (~2.9 AST:TO ratio). The offense always flowed better when he was on the floor. And when the former Colorado State guard looked for his own shot, he was uber-efficient, converting on 26 of his 41 attempts (63.4 percent) and 10 of his 15 3-pointers. He may shown some warts against the Grizzlies in the Summer League title game, but he belongs on a two-way contract.
Grade: A-
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Skinny: As expected, Jaquez was, by far, the best player on the court whenever he was on the hardwood. He made second-team All-Summer League despite playing only two games. Need I say more?
Grade: A+
Josh Christopher
Skinny: Christopher was sensational throughout the Summer. While he wasn’t always the most consistent with his decision-making, he was lights out from 3-point range, making 21 of his 43 3-point attempts (48.8 percent) with a 72.0 true-shooting percentage. Christopher consistently showed he bought in defensively with excellent hands and positioning on- and off-ball. The #HEATCulture™ brought the best out of him, earning him a well-deserved two-way.
Grade: A
I asked Josh Christopher about Heat Culture and what he’s learned the last few weeks:
“Sometimes, it’s something that you can’t really put in words. Heat Culture is just something that I’ve understood… I think this Heat Culture thing just brought the best out of me. I don’t… pic.twitter.com/1ZRAGsFXjW
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 23, 2024
It was hard to not be impressed by Josh Christopher in Summer League.
His shotmaking was very impressive, but he was attentive on- and off-ball defensively and consistently created deflections/steals—that’s what stuck out most.
Well-deserved two-way.pic.twitter.com/LNXjV28hSu
— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) July 25, 2024
Kel’el Ware
Skinny: It was alarming that his two worst games arguably came against the only two NBA-caliber bigs he faced (Neemias Queta, Quinten Post). Nevertheless, Ware was one of the best rookies in Summer League and did well with the hand he was given. He made All-Summer League first team, averaging 18.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks on 58.4 percent shooting and 62.2 percent true shooting. His defense, rebounding and outside shot-making weren’t always fruitful, but what the 7-foot big provided as a rim runner, vertical spacer, screener (late in SL) and shot-blocker suggests there are plenty of tools for the Heat’s first-round rookie to build off of heading into training camp and the 2024-25 season.
Grade: A
Keshad Johnson
Skinny: Unfortunately, Johnson was shut down after Miami’s fourth game in Vegas–sixth total–due to an ankle injury suffered against the Toronto Raptors. Regardless, Johnson not only showed his defensive versatility, but his improvements as an outside shooter plus a smooth mid-range pull-up. He popped in transition–I know a team that needs that!–as well as a defensive playmaker. It’s only a matter of time before he gets converted to a standard contract.
Grade: A
Pelle Larsson
Skinny: Larsson, who sunk Miami’s championship-clinching shot in overtime, looked phenomenal despite getting off to a subpar shooting start. Defensively, he did the little things–disrupting ball-handlers 94 feet, cutting off driving lanes, sacrificing his body for charges, etc. He was excellent at the point-of-attack. Offensively, he was consistently an above-average connector and looked to be aggressive off closeouts while having better shooting touch (around the rim) as Summer League went on. Similar to how he was at Arizona, Larsson was an excellent glue guy.
Grade: A-
Zyon Pullin
Skinny: Pullin was underwhelming in Summer League. He wasn’t bad, but he also wasn’t spectacular–oftentimes looking like he was trying to do too much when he was on the floor. I was impressed with his ability to create rim pressure. He wasn’t a poor playmaker or defender, but he didn’t quite pop as much as I would hoping given he was immediately signed to a two-way post-draft.
Grade: C+
What grade would you give each Heat player? Let us know in the comments!
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I was dissapointed with Alondes Williams. Even if he’s not going to be a star in the league, I was hoping he was going to have an O-Rob level “I’m too good for summer league” showing. Unfortunately, I agree with the Matt H, this might be the end of Alondes with the Heat. At least he gave us one monster dunk
True. I like him and hope he stays with the club. I think he has value and skills that can help a team. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t land a 2-way spot elsewhere. He reminds me a little of Patrick Beverly, very enthusiastic player.
Plenty of depth to put a good trade together using a starter and a couple of extras for a star.
Yes, we had a great summer league. But…. the offseason trudges forward, and what do we have to show for it, Alex Burks, and some great GLeaguers. We are almost there, and we are still living on a prayer. Earth to Pat, there is one thing in this world you can definitely, without any doubt, be sure of, and that is running it back is not the answer.
In my 29 years of watching heat basketball, this is the most balanced team (youth and veteran leadership ) that I’ve ever seen Pat assemble. We are deep and got bodies for them rugged days and minutes will be earned on this team. #Woofwoof
I would rather see a mix of players who could compete with Philly, Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Indiana and Cleveland. That would be something to bark about.
Okay, here comes the typical RC optimist take. But a couple of disclaimers to begin. First, I felt and still feel trading Butler would be best for the team in the long run. Also, I don’t think the team as currently constructed is a real contender.
Now for positives that include some ‘what ifs’ and hopes. Ware will likely be starting center at some point in the season, perhaps in the first quarter season. That would give you a starting lineup of Ware, Bam, Butler, Herro (or Duncan or Highsmith), and Rozier. That’s a pretty good starting lineup. Second unit could be Love, Jovic, Jaquez, Duncan (or Herro or Highsmith), and Burks. That’s a fair unit. That leaves Bryant, J Rich, and Pelle. I think Pelle will get regular minutes at some point. Now, you also have Keshad, Christopher , and whoever gets the 3rd 2-way spot for 50 days each. You can periodically use some of these players to give days off to the regulars as needed. The new backups are all athletic and good defensively.
Bottom line is I think this team will be competitive and fun to watch.
I agree. I also believe, if “Playoff Jimmy” returns, this team is one good trade away from being competitive. A good two-way SG or combo guard for Herro and a couple of players and maybe a draft pick, would do wonders.
I agree with both you and RC. Being fun to watch is one thing, being competitive another. Because of the potential in Ware (which is not a sure thing yet but does look promising) we may be just one good trade away. But, we still have to do something more.