The Miami Heat are known for three things: culture, winning, and undrafted players.
The Miami Heat have a long track record of finding hidden gems that no other team is able to identify. Other teams might have one or two guys that outperform expectations, but Miami has consistently found discarded players and maximized them. You'd think they make players in a lab and crank them out whenever they need help. Below, I highlight four players that have a chance to join the list of Miami Heat undrafted gems.
1. Jamal Cain, 24 years old
Jamal Cain is a 6’6 wing with absurd athleticism. One of the few things Miami lacks is athleticism, so this alone gives Cain a chance at cracking the rotation. The good thing about Cain is that his athleticism is not his only attribute. Cain is a ferocious defender that can disrupt the offense at any moment. His defense alone would warrant him being on this list, but what gives him great promise is his continued offensive improvement. Through three games of the Summer League, Cain has averaged 17.3 points per game on 52.9% shooting, and 45.5% from three on 3.7 attempts per game. He is also getting to the line 4.3 times per game and hitting 84.6% of his free throws. These numbers point toward a guy ready to be on the main roster. Cain has quickly become a fan favorite. Every time he is on the court, Heat fans are dialed in to see what he’s capable of. Miami fans LOVE players that play with maximum effort, and Cain is one of these players. He was built to be disruptive and annoying on defense. If he shows he can be just an average offensive player, Cain will be a lock to join the list of Heat undrafted gems.
2. Jamaree Bouyea, 24 years old
Jamaree Bouyea is a point guard that can do just about everything on the court; a jack-of-all-trades type of guy. So far in Summer League, Bouyea has struggled with his shooting/scoring, averaging just 8 points on 37.5% shooting. That's obviously not ideal. The intriguing thing about Bouyea is that he knows how to maximize his strengths. He knows he can get past anyone and can set up his teammates to get open looks. He has displayed this skill averaging 9.5 assists in the three Summer League games. The next step for Bouyea is to limit his turnovers; he is currently averaging 4 a game. To be a point guard in the NBA he’ll have to take care of the ball better than that. Even with is recent shooting and turnover struggles, he has still been impressive. The hope is that those struggles won’t be long-term. For Context, Bouyea started 22 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce last season and averaged 18.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1 block. And as if that wasn’t enough, he shot 55% from the field and averaged only 1.9 turnovers a game. Those are eye-popping numbers. Any player that averages 15/5/5against pro-level competition deserves a chance to earn a spot on the main roster. The Heat seem to agree after having signed Bouyea to a two-way contract on July 1st.
3. Orlando Robinson, 23 years old
Orlando Robinson had to be included on this list. Not only did he drop 36 points and 11 rebounds in the first Las Vegas Summer League game, he also just signed a partially guaranteed standard contract with the Heat. There is some debate on whether he will be on the roster come the regular season, but his performance this summer may have made him a lock. Robinson has his flaws, such as his lack of elite athleticism, but he has been effective in the Summer League. Through three games, Robinson has averaged 25.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. Those are excellent numbers and exactly what you want to see from a 2nd-year player with some NBA experience. As mentioned previously, Robinson does not have elite athleticism, but he moves fluidly. He has some moves in his bag, but they are just not as fast as you would like. Robinson has also shown he can play physically and is not afraid of contact. He is getting to the line 7.3 times per game and cashing them in at an 81.8% clip. It will be interesting to see if Robinson is on the roster when the season starts but one thing is for sure, he deserves a chance to show he belongs.
4. Drew Peterson, 23 Years old
Drew Peterson might not have numbers as eye-catching as the other players on this list, but this dude is a winning player. Through three Summer League games, he is averaging 12 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. These numbers alone won’t get you to the NBA, but that’s not the end of the story. First, he is very efficient, shooting 54.2% from the field and a ridiculous 57.1% from three-point range. Second, and arguably most importantly, he knows his role and finds ways to contribute. Too many players get caught up in scoring numbers when looking at the Summer League. NBA teams know people can score, but they need guys that play a role and don’t try to do too much. Peterson is exactly that, he knows his strengths and weaknesses and never tries to do too much. If a shot isn’t open, he won't force it. If a pass isn’t there, he doesn’t try to squeeze it through. He constantly makes the right plays and does whatever his team needs to win. Peterson deserves a two-way and could even earn a standard contract one day.
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