Coverage centers on the roster cuts, Ryan Conwell's rotation case, Klay Thompson's shooting and the first Giannis Antetokounmpo season. Preseason scoring supports the Conwell push, while health and age decide the rest.
Cuts Are Done
Heat.com reported that the team waived Ezra Ausar, Kylor Kelley, Gabe Madsen and Bez Mbeng, and Hot Hot Hoops and Hoops Rumors carried the same news. The Miami Herald followed with a look at where the roster stands. The facts agree: all four are off the roster as of Sunday. What the cuts do not answer is the open spot question, because nothing here shows the final count.
Conwell's Case
The Herald's Anthony Chiang wrote that Ryan Conwell is making a strong preseason argument for a rotation spot. All U Can Heat went further and said he belongs in the opening-night rotation. The scoring backs the claim: Conwell had 22 points against Minnesota and 21 at Orlando, and he led the Heat in the Magic loss. But he is a 22-year-old rookie, and both games were preseason. Nothing supports a promised role. That call belongs to Erik Spoelstra.
Klay's Numbers
All U Can Heat listed Klay Thompson at the top of the biggest questions for opening week. The Herald reported that the team is not worried about his preseason shooting. Last season he hit 38.3% from three in 21.7 minutes, which supports the team's patience. He is also 36. Preseason percentages are not in hand, so nobody can call the slump real or imagined. The standard is simple: make shots, or lose minutes.
Giannis Era
All U Can Heat is projecting the first ten games of the Giannis era and flagging players who cannot afford to disappoint. Antetokounmpo is cleared, but he played only 36 games last season, scoring 27.6 points. The Herald noted that he and Bam Adebayo sat out the finale. Adebayo's right groin is still on the injury report, with a projected return of Wednesday. Another All U Can Heat piece weighs one last free agency move. A $209.1M payroll, over the $200.4M tax line and facing a $221.7M second apron, limits what that move can be.
Bottom Line
The cuts are fact. Conwell has earned a look and nothing more. Thompson has a track record and an age. The Giannis questions are about health, and Wednesday against Minnesota is the first real test.
Who did the Heat waive before the season?
Heat.com reported the team waived Ezra Ausar, Kylor Kelley, Gabe Madsen and Bez Mbeng. All four are off the roster.
Is Ryan Conwell in the Heat's opening-night rotation?
That has not been announced. He scored 22 and 21 in his last two preseason games against Minnesota and Orlando, and outlets like the Miami Herald argue he has earned a spot.
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