The remaining half dozen of the Miami Heat’s COVID-19 replacement players officially expired their 10-day contracts as of Sunday.
The six mentioned above are: Kyle Guy, Haywood Highsmith, Chris Silva, Nik Stauskas, Mario Chalmers, and Aric Holman. Each of their contracts expired after Saturday’s 23-point win over the Phoenix Suns.
Guy, Highsmith, Stauskas and Silva were the only 10-day Miami replacements to see the court; the first two watched more than 60 minutes each, while the last pair watched no more than 42 minutes. Chalmers, a two-time NBA champion with Miami while spending his first seven and a half seasons with the organization (2008-16), did not play after the 35-year-old played in two G-League games (56 minutes). with the Grand Rapids Gold before inking the 10-day with Miami.
Guy was undoubtedly the most impressive of the group, scoring 49 points overall in 101 minutes with eight rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and a block, shooting 18 of 35 (51.4 percent) from the floor and 9 of 20 ( 45.0 percent) from the 3-point range. His averages per game were 9.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 20.2 minutes, which is equivalent to 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists. and 1.4 robberies every 36 minutes.
Highsmith and Silva also showed brief flashes of quality in their shortened playing time. Highsmith took seven of his eight shots from beyond the arc, knocking down four of them, accounting for all 12 of his points (in 42 minutes). He also had five rebounds and one block. Silva registered 26 rebounds – 10 offensive – to 24 points with a clip of 61.5 percent (8-13) in 61 minutes; Silva scored 14.2 points while grabbing 15.3 boards (5.9 offensive) every 36 minutes.
The aforementioned six players are now free agents and can sign with any team.
“With these struggling guys, how grateful we are to those guys across the league, not just our team, it’s unbelievable,” Kyle Lowry said after Sunday’s game against Phoenix. “They really helped us keep this season going. Without those guys, the struggling guys, the 10-day guys, the G-League guys and the guys that come and just play and help and they’re just bodies, it’s amazing. We appreciate you, from the bottom of my heart and throughout our league. We thank you all. We appreciate it.”
Suns star guard Chris Paul echoed the same sentiment after fans interrupted former 10-day player Emanuel Terry:
Me @NBAonTNT report on Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul who had words with some fans in Boston who were insulting 10-day signer Emanuel Terry. I detailed your message and the result. pic.twitter.com/4BYdKkNcRY
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 7, 2022
Theoretically, the Heat could sign Guy or any of the other struggling players to their last spot on the roster. But that spot will likely be filled elsewhere, with Heat guard Caleb Martin, currently on a two-way deal, as the presumed favorite as of now (read more about why you deserve it, here).
That last spot will likely not be filled until later in the season, when the ~ $ 136.6 million luxury tax threshold, which they are trying to avoid for repeat tax purposes, is not exceeded. Miami could also land an additional roster spot, or more, before the February 10 trade deadline to sign available free agents as well.
The 10-day contracts of Kyle Guy, Aric Holman and Haywood Highsmith have expired and all three are now free agents. Mario Chalmers, Chris Silva and Nik Stauskas will become free agents today, with the expiration of their 10-day contracts with the Heat.
– Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) January 9, 2022