The Miami Heat are your 2024 Las Vegas Summer League Champions.
The Heat summer league team defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the championship game on Monday, 120-118, after going a perfect 6-0 over the previous three weeks.
The championship game on Monday night was an intense thriller that ended in overtime for both sides. The teams exchanged baskets in overtime until Pelle Larsson made the shot that gave Miami the victory. Josh Christopher was the Summer League Champion MVP.
Now that the Summer League is over with, Miami is facing challenging roster decisions regarding their summer league players in the coming months. Larsson and Kel’el Ware, the Heat’s two draft picks, are already on guaranteed contracts, so our attention won’t be on them. Miami will carry 14 players under standard contracts due to salary cap constraints. Therefore, our focus turns to the Heat’s three two-way contracts, currently held by Zyon Pullin, Keshad Johnson, and Dru Smith, who is currently recovering from an injury.
The Lock
Of all the two-way players, forward Keshad Johnson is the only one guaranteed a spot. Despite his summer league season being cut short due to injuries, Johnson showed more than enough to solidify his position. His athleticism and versatility have impressed fans and Heat officials alike. Over six summer league games, Johnson averaged 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Throughout these contests, he shot 38.9% from three-point range (7 for 18) and contributed six blocks and nine steals. If the roster remains unchanged, there’s a strong possibility his contract could eventually be converted to the pro-rated minimum during the 2024–25 season as the team navigates salary cap rules.
Candidates for Two-Way Deals
With Johnson’s spot locked in, that leaves the two remaining spots—currently held by Pullin and Smith—potentially up for grabs. Miami can only have three two-way players during the regular season, and these contracts do not count against the salary cap, giving them flexibility to replace if needed. With that said, I will now outline the four candidates for these two open spots.
Josh Christopher
Let’s begin with the Summer League Finals MVP, Josh Christopher. During the Vegas Summer League games, he impressed everyone with his scoring ability and individual defense. Christopher averaged 19.3 points, three rebounds, and two steals per game while shooting 54.1% from the field and 52.5% from beyond the arc. Throughout the Summer League, there were several instances where the Heat relied heavily on Christopher’s scoring in clutch situations.
Following a strong showing in the Summer League, Christopher is now seeking to secure a spot on an NBA roster. As an unrestricted free agent, he can sign a standard contract or a two-way deal with any team. Miami could extend an Exhibit 10 contract, essentially a training camp invitation. However, given Christopher’s performances, the Heat may need to offer him a two-way contract to retain him.
Alondes Williams
Alondes Williams is another candidate for one of the Heat’s two-way contracts. In Monday’s championship game, he kept Miami competitive and showcased his playmaking skills with 21 points and six assists. Last week in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks, he also delivered what might be the dunk of the summer. Williams has always been known for his athleticism; the areas he focused on improving were his defense, playmaking, and ability to play off the ball.
Having spent last season on a two-way deal with the Heat, Williams became an unrestricted free agent after the Heat withdrew their qualifying offer a few weeks ago. He now has the freedom to sign a two-way deal or a standard contract with any NBA team.
Isaiah Stevens
Isaiah Stevens, another standout from the Heat in the Summer League, has impressed everyone with his playmaking and outside shooting despite his undersized stature at 6 feet and 185 pounds. He played a pivotal role in the Heat’s undefeated record in Vegas, displaying poise and leadership as the team’s floor general. In his six appearances in Vegas, he averaged 8.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 59.4% from the field and 63.6% from beyond the arc. Stevens is currently under an Exhibit 10 contract, which prevents other teams from poaching him from the Heat and gives the Heat more time to evaluate his potential.
Cole Swider
Like Williams, Cole Swider had his qualifying offer rescinded a few weeks ago. Swider spent last season on a two-way deal with the Heat. He is coming off a strong game where he scored 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. During his summer league stint with the Heat, Swider has demonstrated his ability to make threes at the NBA level. However, there remains a question of what else he can contribute when his three-point shot is not falling. Nevertheless, Swider should receive an opportunity somewhere given the demand for shooting. Whether that opportunity will be with the Heat remains to be seen.
