| News |
|---|
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware posts double-double in overtime win
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 4:38 PM
Kel'El Ware finished Monday's 120-118 win over Memphis with 21 points (8-of-10 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, and one blocked shot in 32 minutes.
Analysis: Not only was Ware one of the best-performing rookies at the NBA 2K25 Summer League, but he was one of the best players overall. The first-round pick was named first-team All-Summer League before Monday's championship game, and Ware posted another double-double in the overtime victory. Ware's fantasy potential this season will depend on how much Erik Spoelstra is willing to play him alongside Bam Adebayo. The former Indiana standout can step away from the basket, but can he do it well enough to avoid negatively impacting Miami's offensive spacing? Regardless of the answer, Ware is a rookie who needs to be selected in all drafts. |
|
Pelle Larsson Pelle Larsson tallies 21 points in title game win
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 4:33 PM
Pelle Larsson finished Monday's 120-118 overtime win over the Grizzlies with 21 points (7-of-9 FGs, 1-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 21 minutes.
Analysis: Larsson set the tone for the Heat on Monday, getting off to a hot start before foul trouble forced him to the bench. While the fouls and turnovers (five) weren't great, the second-round pick played well overall, with the title being a fitting capper to Larsson's summer. He's a player the Heat expect to contribute this season; the question is whether or not the minutes will be enough for Larsson to achieve fantasy relevance. At a minimum, he's worth tracking during the preseason, and Jimmy Butler's recent availability issues may also boost the former Arizona guard's fantasy value. |
|
Pelle Larsson Pelle Larsson scores 18 points in semifinal win
Sun, Jul 21, 2024, 12:05 PM
Pelle Larsson finished Sunday's 102-99 win over the Warriors with 18 points (6-of-13 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two 3-pointers in 30 minutes.
Analysis: Larsson has agreed to a three-year contract, so he'll have every opportunity to compete for playing time when training camp begins. The second-round pick out of Arizona has played well in Las Vegas, making positive strides after uneven performances at the California Classic. Given Miami's depth and experience on the wings, it will be difficult for Larsson to get the minutes needed to be fantasy-relevant as a rookie. But he's made a good impression on his employer in summer league. |
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware continues to shine at NBA 2K25 SL
Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 11:01 AM
Kel'El Ware finished Wednesday's 92-79 win over Dallas with 24 points (9-of-12 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, one steal, and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.
Analysis: Ware's comfort level has improved by the game, and he has been one of the best rookies in Las Vegas. The 15th overall pick in last month's draft recorded a second consecutive double-double, and he is up to seven blocked shots in three games. The talent level at summer league is not on par with what Ware will experience in October. But the rebounding, shot blocking, and motor are attributes that should translate. Even though Ware is likely to come off the bench, he's a rookie worth selecting in standard league drafts. |
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware records double-double vs. Thunder
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 1:54 PM
Kel'El Ware tallied 11 points (5-of-12 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 24 minutes in Monday's win over the Thunder.
Analysis: Ware has played hard throughout his summer with the Heat, providing precisely what the team hoped to receive when selecting the former Indiana center with the 15th overall pick. He recorded another double-double on Monday, his second of the summer, while also producing a full stat line. Bam Adebayo being in the lineup likely prohibits Ware from being a starter, but there will be times when the two bigs share the court. Ware's perimeter shooting ability in those spots will help the Heat spacing-wise. |
|
Jaime Jaquez Jaime Jaquez Jr. scores efficient 23 points Monday
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 1:46 PM
Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished Monday's 102-73 win over Oklahoma City with 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 25 minutes.
Analysis: In the aftermath of his stellar performance on Monday and the Heat having played two games in Las Vegas, we've likely seen the last of Jaquez this week. The plan was for him to play two games before the team decided on Jaquez's availability for the rest of the week. His summer began with a few practices for the United States select team, which helped the senior national team in its stateside prep for the upcoming Paris Olympics. While Jaquez was effective as a rookie, his role should expand next season after Caleb Martin's exit. Add Jimmy Butler's past availability issues, and Jaquez will be worth drafting in standard leagues. |
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware scores 17 points in Las Vegas opener
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 2:42 PM
Kel'El Ware finished Saturday's 119-114 win over Boston with 17 points (7-of-9 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, and one 3-pointer in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Ware wasn't as productive on the boards as he was at the California Classic to begin the week, but the first-round pick remained impactful. This week, he's played with a consistently high motor, which was the big question during the pre-draft process. Ware was effective as a shot blocker on Saturday, and he also stepped away from the basket and hit a 3-pointer. Moving forward, will there be a point during the regular season when Erik Spoelstra plays Ware and Bam Adebayo together? If so, that would boost the rookie center's fantasy value. |
|
Jaime Jaquez Jaime Jaquez Jr. tallies 29 points, 11 rebounds
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 2:29 PM
Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished Saturday's 119-114 win over the Celtics with 29 points (10-of-18 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), 11 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 31 minutes.
Analysis: Miami shot 62% from the field on Saturday, with Jaquez leading the way. As a rookie, he was one of the best first-year players in the NBA last season, and the expectation is that he'll be even better in Year 2. Jaquez began this month with the United States select team as they helped prepare the team headed to Paris for the Olympics, and he isn't going to play much in Vegas. The plan is for Jaquez to play two games with the Heat, and it's fair to wonder if the team will change those plans after his stellar showing against the Celtics. |
|
Jamal Cain Jamal Cain signs two-way deal with Pelicans
Fri, Jul 12, 2024, 11:46 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Jamal Cain has agreed to a two-year deal with New Orleans.
Analysis: Cain averaged 11.7 minutes per contest across 44 games through two seasons with Miami, so he's way off the fantasy radar heading into the 2024-25 campaign. |
|
Cole Swider Report: Heat withdraw offers for Swider, Williams
Thu, Jul 11, 2024, 8:32 AM
Tim Reynolds on Twitter
According to a report from the Associated Press, Cole Swider and Alondes Williams are set to enter unrestricted free agency.
Analysis: Swider and Williams both played in less than a quarter of Miami's games last season. Neither logged more than 5.0 points per contest. They shouldn't be considered as serious fantasy players regardless of where they sign next. |
|
Haywood Highsmith Haywood Highsmith back with Heat on 2-year deal
Mon, Jul 8, 2024, 8:07 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Haywood Highsmith has signed a two-year, $11 million deal to return to Miami.
Analysis: The fourth-year man out of Wheeling Jesuit enjoyed a career-best season, finishing the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.2 triples across 20.7 minutes in 66 appearances (26 starts). He won't be much help to your fantasy team, but Highsmith - a guy who truly exemplifies âHeat Cultureâ - is a nice re-signing for Miami. |
|
Cole Swider Cole Swider drains five 3-pointers vs. Sacramento
Sun, Jul 7, 2024, 12:24 PM
Cole Swider shot 7-of-12 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Sunday's win over the Kings, amassing 21 points, two rebounds, one assist, and five 3-pointers in 27 minutes.
Analysis: Swider spent last season on a two-way contract, and the Heat have yet to decide what they'll do with their three available slots. Shooting the ball as well as he has through two games should strengthen Swider's chances of earning a return, as he is now 9-of-16 from beyond the arc. He isn't a player worth targeting in drafts, but solid play this summer will go a long way toward ensuring that Swider is in training camp with the Heat (or another team). |
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware shines in second summer league outing
Sun, Jul 7, 2024, 12:19 PM
Kel'El Ware accounted for 26 points (12-of-21 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), 11 rebounds, three assists, and one block in 30 minutes in Sunday's 102-86 win over the Kings.
Analysis: After blocking five shots in his summer league debut on Saturday, Ware showed off the full offensive game on Sunday. In addition to improved finishing in the paint, he displayed the ability to hit shots in the mid-range, going on to lead all scorers with 26 points. Rebounding and shot-blocking is where the rookie's bread will be buttered this season, and Ware has been productive in those areas thus far. He isn't going to pass Bam Adebayo in the pecking order, but the backup center job should be Ware's this fall/winter. |
|
Pelle Larsson Pelle Larsson tallies three steals in summer debut
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 2:27 PM
Pelle Larsson finished Miami's 105-66 loss to the Warriors on Saturday with eight points (2-of-8 FGs, 3-of-7 FTs), three rebounds, three steals, and one 3-pointer in 23 minutes.
Analysis: The 44th overall pick in last month's draft, Larsson got off to a slow start on Saturday (as did his Heat teammates). The former Arizona guard, who shot nearly 40% from three as a collegian, went 1-of-4 from beyond the arc and struggled from the foul line. The good news is that Larsson was impactful in other areas, most notably tallying three steals. The shot will come around, given the numbers he produced while at Arizona. Larsson will be a better option for the late rounds in dynasty league drafts than in redrafts. |
|
Emoni Bates Kel'El Ware blocks five shots in summer debut
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 2:22 PM
Kel'El Ware finished Saturday's 105-66 loss to the Warriors with 12 points (5-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, and five blocked shots in 24 minutes.
Analysis: Saturday's summer league debut was brutal for the Heat, but team decision-makers had to be encouraged by what they saw from Ware defensively. The first-round pick blocked five shots and changed a few more in his first action in a Heat uniform. With Bam Adebayo firmly entrenched as the starting center, Ware's defensive ability is what will get him on the court early as a rookie. He's a player worth tracking in California and Las Vegas, especially if the blocked shot production remains constant. |
|
Alec Burks Woj: Heat sign Alec Burks to one-year contract
Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 10:08 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat are signing Alec Burks to a one-year contract.
Analysis: Acquired by the Knicks at the February deadline, Burks slipped out of the rotation before injuries pushed him back into the fold during the Pacers series. He finished the season with a 26-point effort in New York's Game 7 defeat, so the potential to provide instant offense remains. However, with Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier in the fold, Burks' fantasy ceiling will be limited in 2024-25. |
|
Thomas Bryant Stein: Thomas Bryant re-signing with Miami
Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 7:56 AM
Marc Stein on X
Thomas Bryant has re-signed with the Heat on a one-year deal, per Marc Stein.
Analysis: Bryant played 11.6 minutes across 38 appearances last season. The Heat added Kel'el Ware in the draft, so Bryant may end up being their third option at center. He'll be a solid depth piece, but there isn't much fantasy value here. |
|
Dru Smith Heat sign Dru Smith to two-way contract
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 2:35 PM
Miami Heat
The Heat announced on Monday that they have signed Dru Smith to a two-way contract.
Analysis: Smith only appeared in nine games last season before suffering a torn right ACL during a game against the Cavaliers. While there may be moments when he has streaming value, Smith is not a player fantasy managers should plan on drafting. |
|
Kevin Love Shams: Heat, Kevin Love agree to two-year contract
Sun, Jun 30, 2024, 12:05 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Kevin Love and the Heat are finalizing a two-year, $8 million deal.
Analysis: Love opted out of the final season of his contract on Saturday, but the expectation was that he and the Heat would agree to a new deal. That has reportedly happened, with the veteran center in line to provide additional frontcourt depth. Miami did select Kel'El Ware with the No. 15 pick in last week's draft, but retaining love will help with the rookie's development behind All-Star Bam Adebayo. |
|
Kevin Love Woj: Kevin Love to decline player option
Sat, Jun 29, 2024, 5:15 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Kevin Love is declining his player option for the 2024-25 season.
Analysis: Had he opted into the final season of his contract, Love would have made approximately $4 million in 2024-25. He'll become an unrestricted free agent, but Wojnarowski also reported that Love and the Heat are âenthusiasticâ about being able to work out a deal. Love will likely have limited fantasy value if he returns to Miami, as the Heat have Bam Adebayo as their starting center and selected Indiana's Kel'El Ware with the 15th overall pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft. |
Connect With Us:
