The Heat have a lot of their potential bench players playing in Summer League this year. In fact, I'd say this is probably the best roster in all of the Orlando Summer League. Justise Winslow will be a lot of fun to see for the first time professionally, and guys like James Ennis, Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic will be fighting for spots in the rotation. This should be a very competitive environment.
Players who will absolutely be on the team in 2015-16
- Position: Center
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: Whiteside is practicing with the summer league team and not scheduled to play in any games. But oh god, do I hope that last part ends up false. That would be an absolute demolition to the tune of 40 points, 20 rebounds and seven blocks in 30 minutes if his play last season was any indication.
Justise Winslow
- Position: Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: Duke (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: The No. 10 overall pick was the steal of the draft, in my opinion, as he should have gone much higher than that. Winslow is going to make any team that he joins immediately better due to his work ethic and intelligence level. Oh, and his athleticism is awesome, and his skill level is improving every day. He has a shot to be a really great pickup for the Heat.
Shabazz Napier
- Position: Point guard
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: The team's 2014 first rounder after some lobbying from a departing LeBron James, Napier struggled mightily in his first NBA season. Maybe the game will slow down a bit and come to him more in his sophomore year, but it's always going to be tough for an undersized shooter to make his mark in the league.
Zoran Dragic
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: Zoran has the best brother in the world. He's on a guaranteed deal, and likely won't be leaving any time soon given that his brother just signed a $90 million deal for five years with the team. He's legitimately a very good European player, but he hasn't shown that he can play in the NBA yet, and it'll be interesting to see if he can this season.
Players with a good chance to make the team
James Ennis
- Position: Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 85 percent
Analysis: Ennis showed a good amount of potential last season in a bench role for the Heat. He played well at times defensively, and is an NBA-level athlete at least. But he's on a non-guaranteed deal, so it's not for sure that he'll be back. But given his cheap deal, I think they'd be smart to let him return even if draft picks Winslow and the guy below this made him slightly expendable.
- Position: Shooting guard
- 2014-15 team: Tennessee (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 65 percent
Analysis: Richardson is an awesome two-way player that can really defend well. But more than that, he's improved as a shooter and really has solid ball-handling abilities from being the lead guard at Tennessee last year. I think he sticks in the NBA because of that. The question is just whether or not Miami decides to make the space for him on the roster with their non-guaranteed deals.
A few other guys on non-guaranteed deals
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 55 percent
Analysis: Johnson needs to have a strong summer league, as half of his salary locks in on August 1. He is a whirling dervish of athleticism and fun, and could eventually become a decent scoring guard off the bench for a team. He ended up playing in 32 games for the Heat last year, and might be in line for more if he can beat out some of his competition like Napier.
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Heat
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 49 percent
Analysis: I'll put Walker's odds at just under 50 percent that he's on the team. He has a bigger salary and a smaller guarantee than Johnson, so they aren't as committed to him. My guess is that if they need the roster space, he would be the first guy on the chopping block.
A lot of undrafted free agents
Travis Trice
- Position: Point Guard
- 2014-15 team: Michigan State (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Four percent
Analysis: The motor that made everything go on Michigan State's Final Four team, Trice is a solid offensive guard that can shoot and distribute. Something of a late bloomer, he might still be on the rise as a player. But he'll still need some time in the D-League to continue to develop his ability to get into the lane and his defense.
Seth Tuttle
- Position: Power Forward
- 2014-15 team: Northern Iowa (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Five percent
Analysis: The All-American from Northern Iowa has potential as a stretch-four, but he struggled mightily at Portsmouth this year. He might just not have the length the play in the NBA, but shooters who can really pass the ball are always useful, and Tuttle fits that if he can find away to defend anyone.
Tyler Kalinoski
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Davidson (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Two percent
Analysis: Kalinoski is a great shooter who might be able to make his mark that way, but athletically he probably fits better in Europe. He could make a lot of money over there due to his shiftiness and creativity. But for the NBA, he's just going to really struggle to find a fit on defense.
Joshua Smith
- Position: Center
- 2014-15 team: Georgetown (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: He's big, he's long, has soft hands and no one can move him off of his spot in the post. But this 300-plus pounder really struggles on the glass due to his conditioning level, and it's hard to envision a fit for him defensively with the way teams take advantage of porous pick-and-roll defenders now. He'll be interesting to watch in Orlando though if he plays.
Gabriel Olaseni
- Position: Center
- 2014-15 team: Iowa (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Five percent
Analysis: Olaseni might end up being one of those guys who is more valuable professionally than he was in college. He's a really mobile, athletic big man that can cover the pick-and-roll and defend the rim. Those guys are more valuable than ever, so it's possible that he finds a role if he can continue to improve on offense. It'll take some seasoning in the D-League, though.
Juwan Howard Jr.
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Detroit (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: This isn't just a courtesy signing because of Juwan Howard's position in the organization. This kid can play a little bit, and would be deserving of a Summer League spot somewhere anyway after averaging 18 points per game the last two seasons. He's improved his shooting consistency a lot, and could be a pretty solid D-League project for someone.
Greg Whittington
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: N/A, most recently Georgetown in 2013 (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Whittington seemed to be making the leap at Georgetown before getting kicked off the team and tearing his ACL in the aftermath. He spent time with the Westchester Knicks, but ended up not playing due to that injury. He hasn't played in two years, so who knows what he'll look like. Maybe this could be a spectacular comeback story, but I wouldn't count on it.
A few free agents
Rodney McGruder
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: Maine Red Claws, Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: McGruder is an attacking guard out of Kansas State that was in the D-League last year, mostly in Maine before moving to Sioux Falls for the playoffs. His problem is that he's a 2-guard that struggles to shoot from distance and can't really defend all that well. Not much of an NBA prospect.
Willie Reed
- Position: Center
- 2014-15 team: Grand Rapids Drive and Iowa Energy (D-LEague)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 30 percent
Analysis: Reed is a legitimate prospect for a team that could use another big man. He was named All-D-League last season after averaging 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks per game. He's also twice been named to the all-defensive team. Reed will eventually make it to the NBA for at least a cup of coffee. It's on him what he does with it once he gets there.
Kenny Gabriel
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Gabriel is a combo forward/stretch-four type that had a solid season in Turkey last year. Ultimately, he's probably a bit too tweener-y to make it in the NBA, but he's physical enough to make an impact in Summer League if he's knocking down shots. He'll be back making solid money in Europe next year, though.
Bradford Burgess
- Position: Guard/Forward
- 2014-15 team: UPEA Capo d'Orlando (Italy)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Burgess, like many VCU players, plays in Italy where he had an okay season. He's a wing that struggles with his shooting consistency despite playing hard all the time. He'll continue to make a living playing over there after Summer League ends.
