The Miami Heat needed depth at point guard even before Josh Richardson and Terry Rozier suffered injuries. Now
that both are expected to lose significant amounts of time, the Heat must look to the buyout market for support.
The Miami Heat may aim to sign any of the following guards as free agents:
Killian In 50 games, Hayes Hayes went from being a starter for the Detroit Pistons on opening night to being waived.
This season, the point guard shot 41.3 percent and 29.7 percent from three-point range, respectively, and averaged a
respectable 6.9 points and 4.9 assists. Hayes, who is still only 22 years old, was selected seventh overall in the 2020
draft. That puts Jaime Jaquez Jr., a rookie for the Heat, more than five months younger.
The six-foot four Hayes is a competent and long-range defender. Hayes would make an interesting long-term
development project and a reliable depth piece this season if he can improve his offensive efficiency.
One term best describes Frank Ntilikina’s style of play: defense. With a lifetime defensive rating of 113.2, the former
Charlotte Hornet would be ranked 27th in the NBA this season. While selected eighth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft
by the New York Knicks, Ntilikina has had offensive difficulties. During his most productive season (2019–20), he
averaged 6.8 points. Despite his injuries this season, he has managed to score five points in five games.
Ntilikina is only 25, though. The Heat, who are known for honing every last bit of talent from players who go
unnoticed, might be drawn to the former lottery choice if he has enough remaining potential.
Ish Smith
Over the course of his 14-year career, the 35-year-old has played for an NBA record 13 teams. Smith was released by
the Hornets after playing in 43 games this season following his championship run with the Denver Nuggets. Smith is
a throwback point guard; in just 17 minutes per game, he attempted 3.7 field goals on average but only 3.4 assisted.
Miami should be jealous of Smith’s experience and professionalism, even though the Heat only score 3.2 points a
game.
James Bouknight Given his struggles both on and off the court with the Charlotte Hornets, Bouknight would be a
significant project. Bouknight, a lottery winner in 2021, was detained in 2022 on suspicion of DWI. Prior to being
released, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 3.6 points in 14 games while being out of the starting lineup this season.
Why would the Heat be drawn to this? Similar to Ntilikina and Hayes, Bouknight is a young player (23), therefore
the Heat’s elite player development program may be advantageous to the former outstanding player at the University
of Connecticut.
