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3 Heat Summer League sleepers who could earn minutes this season

By Nicholas Chiarito

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Dru Smith #9 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Heat rumors, Mychal Mulder
Jul 2, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Miami Heat guard Mychal Mulder (12) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) after a screen by center Orlando Robinson (59) during the third quarter at the California Summer League at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Heat have lost a couple of key pieces and are looking at the three potential players on their Summer League roster who could get minutes. 

The NBA Summer League is a very useful time for the young talent in the NBA. The highest picks in the draft get their first opportunity to play against NBA-level talent on a consistent basis. The young guys who didn’t get much playing time the season prior, have the opportunity to showcase their talent and experience they gained from the NBA.

The Miami Heat are one of the best teams in the league at finding raw talent. In their 2023 playoff run they had a total of nine undrafted players and seven that saw regular minutes in the playoffs. On top of that, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Kevin Love are the only players to be selected in the lottery that are on the Heat’s roster.

With the loss of a couple of key pieces this offseason, and with a potential Damian Lillard trade, the Heat are going to need a couple of these summer league guys to step up. Here are three sleepers who could earn minutes for the Heat this season.

3 Heat sleepers who could earn minutes this season: Orlando Robinson

Orlando Robinson played 31 games for the Heat last season averaging 3.7 points on 52.8 percent shooting. Even though he did play some minutes for Miami last season, his Summer League has been too good to be overlooked.

In his four Summer League games, Robinson has been one of the Heat’s best scorers averaging 17.8 points on 51 percent shooting from the field. What has been the most impressive part of Robinson’s play is that he’s shooting 55 percent from three.

In the 2023 regular season Robinson attempted six threes and missed all of them but, so far this Summer League he’s averaging roughly three attempts per game and making 55 percent of them.

If Robinson is able to consistently make 3s at a high percentage, he will see his minutes and playing time increase from last season. We’re in a league where every team needs shooters from all five positions. Last season the Heat lacked floor spacing from their center spot.

Not only could he create more floor spacing for the Heat, it could also create a new dynamic for the Heat on playing big. Bam Adeabyo is 6-foot-9 which isn’t that big and can be a liability when he has to guard guys like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, or Anthony Davis. Adding a 7-foot guy who can play alongside Bam will help the Heat in when they have to go up against great big men.

Orlando Robinson is playing his way into a potential role on the Heat’s roster.

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