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via Imagn
Imago
via Imagn
Last night, the Miami Heat wrapped up their preseason with another defeat, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 125-141. Unfortunately for Erik Spoelstra’s team, they finished the preseason without a single victory. However, the championship-winning coach had more pressing concerns to address, as he and the management team needed to finalize the roster ahead of the upcoming season.
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With the Heat required to trim their roster to 15 standard players and 3 two-way players, a few cuts were anticipated. One surprising departure was former Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa. Many had expected the franchise to retain the former first-round pick they had drafted. However, after an underwhelming preseason performance in which Achiuwa averaged only 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 41.2% from the field, Erik Spoelstra ultimately decided to let him go.
Of course, it would not have been easy, given that the 26-year-old had been with the team for weeks. However, it’s part and parcel of the game, and Spoelstra acknowledged that during a recent presser where he revealed that he likes to be upfront with players like Precious Achiuwa as much as possible. “We try to communicate that as much upfront as possible. It always is tough for a player to, you know, manage that, translate it in the moment, you know. But it’s a transition,” he told the reporters.
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The new Team USA head coach also pointed out that he makes sure guys who are joining the Heat on Exhibit-10 deals know what they are entering into. “And I think guys now, when they come to us, they understand what our player development program is. And when you go to Sou Falls, it literally is an extension of what we do here. It’s the lifeblood of our player development. So I think that’s being communicated better. But it’s always tough, you know, when you have to have those conversations.” He further emphasized.
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Oct 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) dribbles up court during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Well, indeed, telling a player that he won’t be making the final cut is not an easy job. However, it’s something every coach has to get accustomed to, and the best way to go about it is by being upfront like Erik Spoelstra. Nonetheless, while Precious Achiuwa’s farewell was an emotional one, it has left the Heat a roster space and around $13.3 million cap space under the second apron to work on a signing.
Meanwhile, three more Exhibit-10 players joined the six-foot-nine power forward. This includes the likes of Ethan Thompson, Dain Dainja, and Bez Mbeng– all of whom are no longer on Miami’s roster. So, this brings us to an obvious question: Who will fill the final spot on the franchise’s roster with just a few days remaining before the season tips off?
Who will fill the final remaining spot on the Heat’s roster?
With the Miami Heat now well under the second apron and having one two-way spot, everyone is interested to know whom Erik Spoelstra and Co. will select to fill in that spot. While many expected Precious Achiuwa to be the frontrunner in that race, now that he’s out, it leaves Miami with former Maryland standout Jahmir Young as the premium option. This comes after the 25-year-old guard reportedly impressed the Heat coaching staff during the preseason.
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Mandatory Credits: Charlotte Athletics
Well, to be honest, despite the team’s dreadful 0-6 run in the preseason, Young was one of the few bright spots for the franchise. He finished the preseason averaging 9.7 points while shooting 41.7 % from the field. Not to mention, he also put up 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. So, it’s safe to say that he’ll be a solid rotational player for the team. More so, given that he’s been staggering in the G League. Last season, while suiting up for the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League, Jahmir Young was phenomenal.
The former Denver and Chicago guard averaged 21.7 points along with 7.1 assists and 1.9 steals. That goes to show that Young has some real potential. So, it won’t be surprising if the Heat announce that they are picking him as their final two-way player alongside Myron Gardner and Vlad Goldin. Now, will they do it or not? That’s something we’ll have to keep our eyes on in the coming weeks, as they gear up to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
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Ved Vaze