Landry Shamet is a respected veteran that has been a part of several playoff runs for the LA Clippers years ago.
The Miami Heat filled their 14th and likely final roster spot with the re-signing of Haywood Highsmith. However, there are 15 roster spots applied to every team for players on standard contracts. If the Heat opt to fill each and every one of those, there is a playoff experienced player that could be available for the veteran minimum.
According to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype, the Heat, among others, have shown ‘exploratory interest’ in free agent guard Landry Shamet.
“Free agent guard Landry Shamet has received exploratory interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, & Knicks, league sources told HoopsHype… Minnesota & Miami each have a roster spot open should they decide to add Shamet (career 38.4% 3-point shooter)” – Scotto/HoopsHype
Over recent years, Miami has been inclined to utilizing just the 14 spots for tax purposes. Even filling the 15th by converting a two-way player, even the talent undrafted summer league talent Keshad Johnson, would put the Heat over the second apron. But the only way another signing could happen is if someone is brought in utilizing the veteran’s minimum.
Those one-year deals don’t have as much of a negative effect to a team’s cap space. For a roster that has just Alec Burks as the only other true back-up point guard option behind Terry Rozier, Shamet could be intriguing. Josh Richardson has combo guard capabilities, but he isn’t a true point guard that can run offense.
At 26 years old, he has experience going deep into the playoffs on the LA Clippers over recent years. Even if he isn’t a regular option as a rotation player, he can provide the Heat with another option on the team’s depth chart barring any injuries.
Shamet’s best career stretch came in a half-season (25 games) with the Clippers in 2019 where he averaged 10.9 points, 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds on 40/38/86 shooting splits.
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