After a big comeback against the Orlando Magic last night, the Miami Heat finish 2017 with a 19-17 record. Considering how many injuries the Heat have dealt with so far in the season, being two games over .500 can be considered a big success. Even though they could have won a few more games, things will most likely improve in 2018 when their key players return to action.
In the last few hours of 2017, the Miami Heat decided to make a move that might help them improve the record next year. The Heat signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-way contract, releasing Matt Williams Jr.
at the same time. While this move doesn't seem big, Jones Jr. is very talented and he has a potential to become a great bench player for the Heat.
The newest addition
Derrick Jones Jr. is a 20-year-old small forward and he last played for the Phoenix Suns. In his rookie season, Jones Jr. averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 56.2 percent from the field, which is impressive. However, the Suns didn't use him much this season as the small forward only appeared in six games, averaging 5.5 minutes per game.
During his NBA career, Derrick Jones Jr. switched between the Phoenix Suns and the Northern Arizona Suns, Phoenix's G League affiliate. In the G League, the small forward averaged 14.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 19 appearances and 17 starts.
The Suns waived Jones Jr. on December 7, making him a free agent.
Miami Heat signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-way contract, but they had to let Matt Williams Jr. go. NBA teams can have up to two two-way contracts, and the Heat currently have Jones Jr. and Derrick Walton Jr. on their roster. However, Walton Jr. has less than two weeks remaining on his contract, and the Heat will have to decide whether to sign him to a regular contract or return him to the G League.
Jones Jr.'s role
Considering that Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside are back for the Miami Heat, and that Justise Winslow will return soon, it won't be surprising if the team assigns Derrick Jones Jr. to the G League. In addition, James Johnson might return soon, so the Heat might use Jones Jr. later in the season.
The Heat have been dealing with too many injuries this season, so there is no doubt that the small forward will get some playing time.
If not immediately, he will definitely be used as a replacement for another player. The Heat will open 2018 at home on January 3 against the Detroit Pistons, so it will be interesting to see if they make their newest addition active for the game.
