Heat Cut Three, Turn To Nets Tune-Up

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 13

Miami moved three players off the roster in a single day, trimming numbers before the regular season even opens. The Heat now turn to a Nets team that lost 62 games last season and already has two players banged up before Wednesday's preseason game in Miami.

Heat Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Roster Cut Day

The Heat moved three players off the roster on October 12: Dennis Smith Jr., J'Vonne Hadley and Lester Quinones. All three had joined within the past three weeks. No corresponding addition has been logged to replace them. Miami's payroll sits at $209.1M, above the $209.0M first apron and the $200.4M luxury tax line.

Nets Visit Wednesday

Brooklyn comes to Miami Wednesday for a preseason game, its second in the last seven days and second straight on the road, on one day of rest. The Nets went 20-62 last season under Jordi Fernandez, with a net rating of -10.0. Julius Randle averaged 21.1 points and Michael Porter Jr. 24.2. Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Jefferson are both Day-To-Day.

Heat Rested, Banged Up

Miami gets three days of rest before Wednesday, its lightest stretch of the preseason. Pelle Larsson, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Davion Mitchell are all listed Day-To-Day, most with an estimated return of October 14. Keshad Johnson remains out with a hamstring injury, no return expected before October 26.

One Number

Simone Fontecchio is at 70.8 percent true shooting across his last 10 games, a reserve mark well clear of his season norm. The sample is thin, but it is worth tracking once real minutes start.

Bottom Line

The record stays 0-0 with the opener days away. Three roster spots emptied out with no explanation attached, and Miami has not said who fills them before Brooklyn arrives Wednesday.

Why did the Heat release Dennis Smith Jr., J'Vonne Hadley and Lester Quinones?

No reason has been given. All three left the roster on October 12, the same day, with no replacement move logged.

When do the Heat play the Nets?

Miami hosts Brooklyn on October 14 in a preseason game. It is the Nets' second game in seven days and second straight on the road.