In January, the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat G-League affiliate) signed guard and former first-round pick Josh Christopher off waivers after the Salt Lake City Stars waived him from his two-way contract. Christopher went on to spend the rest of the season with the Skyforce, averaging 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals on 44.3 percent shooting, 32.7 percent from 3-point range and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Christopher had five games of 20-plus points, including a 40-point game against the Memphis Hustle on March 19, where he converted on 14 of his 22 field goal attempts and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. The 22-year-old was eventually invited to the Heat’s Summer League squad, hoping to parlay an encouraging developmental season into an even bigger opportunity.
Christopher did just that, winning the Summer League Finals MVP and earning a two-way contract over undrafted rookie Zyon Pullin. When speaking with Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Christopher spoke about his appreciation for the opportunity he has ahead of him as training camp arrives.
“They’ve given me the cheat codes of being successful,” he said.
In eight combined Summer League contests, Christopher averaged 16.4 points on 66.2 percent true shooting, including 19.3 points on 72.0 percent true shooting in Las Vegas. He had an incomprehensible 20-point fourth quarter against the Thunder combined with an unforgettable display of heroic shot-clock-beating shotmaking in the Summer League title game, keeping the Heat afloat.
Most importantly, his Summer League showed signs of complete buy-in on both ends of the floor. Christopher was never known as an above-average stopper, but he honed in on his skillset defensively last spring leading into the summer. The 6-foot-4 guard even had multiple conversations with Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra about improving his defense–the proverbial key to unearthing additional opportunities within the organization.
“Before [Erik Spoelstra] even took off to Paris (to coach the Olympics), I was around him,” Christopher said. “I got to meet him and form a building relationship. So we’ve had conversations, and he actually told me what he wanted to see from me. And each day, he would just let me know.
“He would vocalize that like, ‘I want you to lock guys up.’ ‘I want two steals.’ ‘And you can lead in deflections,’” Christopher related. “And I just let that direction guide my whole summer league — and everything else fell into place after that.”
Christopher, now a part of his third organization since being drafted No. 24 overall by Houston in 2021, knew the baggage that comes with being a first-round pick. Though he appeared equally as aware that growth isn’t always linear–especially when it comes to impact winning.
“As a first-round pick, you obviously have these expectations and this sort of high of being a draft pick and going out there and showing who you are and what you’re capable of and what you’ve done prior to becoming this pick,” he told Winderman. “But now that I’m in this situation, I’ve been given direction and guidance on how I will succeed. And that is becoming a complementary player.
“I think they’ve helped me enjoy and take pride in the process of just being a low-maintenance complementary player. … I’ve honestly found joy in that, too, morphing into a team guy and somebody who is going to be a part of winning basketball and how I can fit into the puzzle.”
Christopher now enters next week with one of the Heat’s three two-way spots. He may be relegated to Sioux Falls for a portion of 2024-25, but it appears he’s gotten enough trust for the Heat organization to bet on him. They have a proven track record of rejuvenating player’s careers–will Christopher be another? That remains to be seen, but the cards are there.
“With the two-way contract, obviously opportunities are shortened,” Christopher said. “But at the same time, just based on my knowledge with the Heat and what I’ve been told — and it’s been great communication — if you can play ball and you help the team win, you’ll play. For example, Caleb Martin started with the Heat on a two-way. They’ve proven that if you can play, you’ll play.
“They seem to reward players for that, so I’m excited.”
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Moot point on Rose since he retired. Had some good years.
Really curious to see him in camp and how the Heat mix him in to the preseason rotation.
22 years old. This young man, imo, has a limitless ceiling if he focuses on honing all his skills. He certainly has the physical tools, aggressiveness, and confidence.