As the Miami Heat enter the 2023-24 NBA season, they face difficult decisions on who to keep and who to cut from their roster. After a successful 2022-23 campaign that saw them reach the NBA Finals, the Heat are looking to fine-tune their lineup in hopes of making another deep playoff run. However, due to the NBA’s roster limit of 15 players (with two additional two-way contracts), a few names may not make the cut by the end of October. Here are three Miami Heat players who could be on the chopping block:
1. Jamal Cain
Jamal Cain has been on the Heat’s radar as a developmental player, but the forward faces an uphill battle to secure a spot. Cain, who spent last season on a two-way contract, has shown flashes of potential but still lacks consistency. His scoring and rebounding capabilities are intriguing, but with more seasoned players in front of him in the rotation, the Heat might decide that he’s not ready for a full-time role just yet. The team could opt to keep him on a two-way contract or let him go in favor of a veteran who can contribute right away.
2. Dru Smith
Smith is another player who spent time on a two-way deal last season. As a combo guard, his playmaking and defensive skills are valuable, but Miami has a crowded backcourt with Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, and other guards vying for minutes. While Smith has shown promise in his stints with the Heat’s G-League affiliate and during his limited NBA minutes, it may not be enough to secure a long-term roster spot. Unless he can make a strong impression in preseason, Smith is a prime candidate for being cut or assigned to the G-League.
3. Orlando Robinson
Orlando Robinson has had an impressive summer league and showed flashes of becoming a solid rotational big man. However, Miami has invested in frontcourt players like Bam Adebayo and Thomas Bryant, and the addition of rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. creates even more competition for limited minutes. While Robinson’s versatility is appealing, it’s possible that he could be squeezed out if the Heat prefer more experienced options or decide to allocate roster spots to players in other positions.
The Heat’s decision on these players will likely depend on how they perform during training camp and preseason. With a focus on competing for a championship, Miami must make tough calls to build the most competitive roster possible.
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