I don't see UD as a lock. I prefer to keep him b/c I love his ability to defend opposing Cs and that might be needed if Whiteside continues to struggle with quick fouls and assuming Bird is gone. But I could see UD's salary amount being needed to balance out some trade. So I see those other 9 as relative locks. My guess is that Richardson, Zoran, Ennis and Johnson, in that order, as the guys who most likely fill those remaining slots.
I've been wondering that as well. If he's strong enough in that role it lessens the need for RIO and Johnson.
I don't see Riley getting rid of him. He's the emotional leader of the team, and has probably given up a greater percentage of what he could have made than Wade in staying with the Heat. I don't think he'll be in the rotation, but I just can't see them moving him. I also don't know that anyone would really trade for him, either. He's more valuable to the Heat than anyone else.
Personally I don't think they trade Birdman or Mario until the trade deadline unless they can find cheap value in return, that also does not affect next year's cap. And even then, if the team is doing well and they are both playing well, I could see them bite the bullet and ride the team until the end. That's why I count them for the roster. Fringe players are going to have to fight for the remaining 3 spots, 2 if they keep Napier. I also feel Tyler Johnson and Napier are fighting for the same spot, and TJ's injury might have dealt a big blow to his chances.
If Richardson shows something in training camp, Mario is gone.. Micky will gladly take the savings.. Mario will be let go for a second round pick to anyone in the market that needs a backup point guard. Bird's job is much safer than Chalmers.
For sure, the only way they move those guys is if they're not taking money back going into 2016, but I think there will be those types of deals available. And if that's the plan (which I believe to be the case), I don't think you really want to wait until the deadline for two reasons. Primarily I don't think you want to risk there not being a deal there that late. Right now teams have not rounded out their rosters and have some space to play with. It's much easier to find a taker with room and roster space available. Secondly, You don't really want to change your roster that drastically at the trade deadline preferably. If you keep Rio and Bird, those guys probably stay in the rotation while they're here. Once their moved, the rotation changes and you're forced to make it work with a new group with the playoffs right around the corner. No, I think the Heat are out there trying to get the best offer they can for one or both of them, but before the season starts will move them for what they can get (maybe a 2nd rounder or two).
The other thing to keep in mind in terms of the timing of potential trades, is that it behooves us to hold onto expiring contracts for now that can be valuable pieces not for cap relief, but if Riley needs to pounce on the next disgruntled star who unexpectedly becomes available.
Probably had to have Michael Baiamonte apologize to him for the "Stoudemire has been extinguished" PA announcement following STATS foul out against us. What a ****ing hilarious call.
Again, though, your flexibility to move those contracts without taking much money back becomes more limited the longer you wait.
Depends what you're trading for. I'm not talking about a straight dump. That you're going to have to do now. But if a star who is going to be a free agent demands a trade and gives a list, like dragic did last year, you need to be ready
With Amar'e Stoudamire here I'm having trouble seeing how Birdman plays for Miami in 2015-16. He seems like a direct upgrade/replacement. Rio on the other hand, his fortunes may be fading but I don't think he's out yet. They have some options with Tyler Johnson, Shabazz Napier, perhaps Josh Richardson. But none of those options stand out as being head and shoulders better than Rio.
if another god damn horse loses by another mother****ing nose, I am gonna lose it. I might bet summer league to chase my losses from this weekend.
I get that, but the odds of that happening are not great, and there is no guarantee that you'll be able to dump their salaries at the deadline without taking back similar money or deals going into next season. You can take that chance, but I would guess they would rather make sure they dump that money, and the best way to do that is move them now.
Amar'e isn't going to protect the rim like Bird. If/When Whiteside gets in foul trouble or just needs an extended blow, you'd be missing a true backup center to defend the middle. Bosh can do it, I guess, but it's not ideal and not really what he wants to do, I imagine. I think rim protection is something that can be overlooked until you don't have it and you wonder, "Why can't we STOP them?". I'd rather keep Bird on limited minutes (play him only when necessary) than have Chalmers in the regular rotation. I think we'll be fine whether we trade one or both, regardless. Looks like it's going to be tricky dumping their salaries anyways.
Pirating...into 4th Richardson is getting it DONE on defense, on Mudiay. Good awareness on the floor on both ends. Might be his most impressive outing yet. Lots of little things. Napier excellent in transition. Offense feels good when he's in. Scoring, dishing, etc. Very promising. Trying on defense...I don't know, weak through screens. I don't know if Winslow has an injury or what, but the way they're playing him is odd. Started the game, played like 3 mins, then sat til 3rd Q where he played another 4-5mins. ?? My guess is some kind of injury. Trying to keep a hamstring loose or something? but mum on that. CK's boy Kalinoski playing kinda well. Not as overwhelmed on defense as usual.
Yeah Richardson is a keeper..... Not sure where the playingn time will come from this season though But hes making the roster..
Napier with some solid production and getting his shooting percentage up. I think the consistency in AST's (5.33 PG) is what speaks to me most along with the lights out shooting from the line. Being able to put guys in the right positions to score in the Summer League is no small feat considering some of the awful basketball that can go down. A second unit of Napier, Winslow, Green, McBoberts, and Stoudemire (I know they likely won't go with this group often) would need some dribble penetration and solid passing since Green, McBoberts, and possibly Winslow can spot up. If Napier can drive consistently to give space and consistently make the right pass on the NBA court, then he's a great asset in relief of Dragic. Of course sometimes you'll have to eat some contact and convert at the line so his numbers from there are beyond encouraging.
Kalinoski is supposed to be a shooter. If you're a shooter you've gotta make shots. He's not been, lately. Three point prowess looking a lot less interesting.
Richardson is a nice find though. That's a guy that has looked interesting on film since I heard the Heat got him.
It's just summer league, but Napier seems a lot more comfortable now. I keep saying it's WAY too early to write him off. I see some Jameer Nelson in him. At worst, I still think he can be a capable backup. The Winslow thing is a bit strange, though. He has not been playing very much.
The Winslow "thing" is that he is a 1st round pick assured of playing time in the rotation, and they are nervous of aggravating any minor injury he may have. It's common for top picks to be treated with kit gloves in SL.
It seems like other top picks are playing more, but I'll take your word for it. I was just hoping he's not hurt. They did play him at the end of the game, though.
He's fine. BTW, Napier is playing himself into serious consideration for rotation minutes. He dominated tonight.
Sounds like they might be thinking that Winslow this time last year had just graduated high school, and since then has played a lot of ball (deep tourney runs, Team USA). Long season. Napier played really fast all night. Under control, but with great tempo. Like the idea of getting him on the floor with guys like Green, Winslow, Richardson...open it up and run! [video=youtube_share;Rw2Aa0Id9fs]http://youtu.be/Rw2Aa0Id9fs[/video]
Friggin Ian Clark with that game winner three. I think he was the best player on the Heat's 2014 summer league team, wasn't he? Without that the Heat are unbeaten in SL for whatever that's worth. Judging but Emmanuel Mudiay's highlights it seems like Richardson did a nice job on defense against him. Napier not so much.
Early reviews on Kristaps Porzingis....another good game last night with 9 points, 3 rebounds a block and 5 fouls....and yeah, Im looking at the 5 fouls as a good thing. hes extremely active on defense and extremely aware of the "European basketball stereotype" which is to say "soft" which he isnt. He shows good footwork and a good shooting touch so far. Jerian Grant with 10 points and 8 dimes. It should also be noted that Grant had 4 steals and was a big reason why Russell had 8 TO's for LAL. Last years 2nd round pick, Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway each had 13 points and 9 rebounds. Knicks Summer League team is looking unstoppable
I really, really want Napier to develop into a functional back-up PG for us. He was one of my favorite NCAA players to watch of the last few years. I love watching natural PGs who can shoot from long range. It's just a tough combination to defend when a great passer can just step back and shoot. He showed that natural passing ability right away, but that shot that looked unstoppable in college hasn't been seen. I'm not sure how that happens. You'd expect that a good shooter would always be a good shooter (unless they just can't hit the longer 3s). In college he looked like Curry shooting. He was fearless and seemed to have unlimited range. Since then??? My other concern is that he seemed TO prone last season. That in and of itself isn't a huge concern b/c you expect a transition period. But the "why" is important. I wondered if the TOs were a result of being over-matched physically. At times it appeared as if that was the case. If it was then it will probably won't improve since he's unlikely to improve his athleticism. I haven't been able to watch the full summer league games this year like last, only the highlights, but from those highlights he looks more in control, less overwhelmed. That's a positive sign although there's obviously still another step-up in athleticism and talent to the NBA. I'm hopeful that he can at least be the guy who gives you back-up minutes, keeps the offense flowing and doesn't turn the ball over too much. I'm not as confident that his shot will return. It may be just b/c I have no idea why it left. I don't think he'll ever be a great defender. In fact, I expect he'll always be a bit of a liability on that end. But if he can shoot and run the offense efficiently, I'll be happy.
Right now it looks to me like he could be an asset as a rotational guy due to his offense, but I'm not sure I ever see his defense getting better.
The thing is, this isn't the team that crushed the Orlando league. Ennis isn't playing, Reed is gone, Dragic isn't playing, Winslow got hurt, and Napier didn't play. Richardson is really the only player left on that team with any chance to make a roster.
John Wall regrets the contract he signed, comparing his salary being the same as Reggie Jackson.. lol he makes a point..
Safe to say Bosh is excited about playing with Goran http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/sfl-miami-heat-chris-bosh-s071415-story.html
His agent has nothing to do with it. He got the max. The system that makes his max the same as Reggie Jackson's max IS the problem
I don't think it's the system, though unless you go to an uncapped system, which wouldn't necessarily work either. It's the fault of these teams going out any giving these guys the money.
