The Miami Heat have begun the process of finalizing their roster in advance of next Monday’s NBA-mandated deadline, waiving guards Jeremiah Martin and Mychal Mulder and then adding guards Skyler Flatten and Bubu Palo.
Each of the moves were made with an eye toward the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Tuesday’s dual set of moves leaves the Heat with 20 players, the NBA offseason maximum. While teams are limited to 15 players during the regular season, the Heat are expected to carry 14 due to their position against the hard cap.
Martin and Mulder are expected to now be funneled to the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, although both, if they clear waivers, would be free to sign with any NBA team.
Similarly, the Heat are expected to do the same with Flatten and Palo, waiving each by Saturday’s waiver deadline and then working toward their move to the Skyforce.
In addition, the Heat need to make moves in coming days with guards Daryl Macon and Davon Reed and big men Chris Silva and Kyle Alexander, either funneling them to the Skyforce through waivers or extending one or both of their available two-way contracts.
Martin, signed by the Heat on July 11, appeared in one preseason game, with a steal in 5:41. He also appeared in six summer-league games (two starts) and averaged 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.16 steals in 19.1 minutes, shooting .435 from the field.
Mulder, signed Sept. 16, appeared in two preseason games, with two points and a rebound in 15:19.
Flatten played his entire collegiate career at South Dakota State, 60 miles from where the Skyforce are based, appearing in 33 games (all starts) as a senior last season, averaging 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.24 steals in 36.5 minutes while shooting .517 from the field. This past season, he recorded eight 20-point games and connected on at least three 3-pointers in 12 games.
Palo, who has played five seasons with the Skyforce, including on the 2016 G League championship team, appeared in 40 games (25 starts) last season with the Skyforce, averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds in 31.4 minutes. On the Skyforce’s all-time lists, he ranks first in free throws made (687), fifth in games played (154), sixth in assists (557), eighth in minutes (4,335) and 10th in points (1,814).
The Heat have exhibitions remaining Thursday against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center and Friday against the Houston Rockets at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat open their regular-season Oct. 23 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
