Miami Heat Continues Its Wait for Its Last Roster Spot While Free Agents Bounce Around

Training camp has started, but the Miami Heat have yet to find the perfect candidate for their last open roster spot. The team still needs one more guard and had a variety of options in front of them, including multiple free agents: Gabe Vincent , Ryan Nembhard , and even D'Angelo Russell before his sudden career move .

Miami Heat Continues Its Wait to Fill Last Roster Spot

But despite having cap space to make a veteran minimum-salary deal, there is no movement from Miami's side suggesting they are looking for someone.

Russell and Vincent have been linked to the Heat since the beginning of this off-season, while Nembhard has been linked more recently. But there have been certain issues attached to everyone holding back Miami.

Vincent, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February, has been on the open market for a while now. In Miami, he has been a preferred candidate for Bam Adebayo , who has shared the court with him in the past and wants him on the current roster. However, despite internal interest and strong link-up rumors, Miami hasn't made a move for him. His health is an issue.

Vincent could also find refuge with the New York Knicks despite recently rejecting their camp offer. As for Nembhard, who the Charlotte Hornets waived on September 26, he signed a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets on September 30.

Missed Opportunity With D'Angelo Russell

Russell was receiving significant media attention as a potential target for Miami throughout the offseason. He would have fulfilled their playmaking depth and backcourt needs, but despite strong rumors, this never materialized. Russell's chances with Miami are over for now, as he recently left the NBA to continue his professional career in the Chinese Basketball Association, joining the Shanghai Sharks .

This year, Russell was traded twice before being waived toward the end of last month. Russell was moved from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards in February, and then to the Memphis Grizzlies in July. However, Memphis waived him last week, giving Miami the perfect opportunity to lock him down if they wanted.

But his recent health issues could be a roadblock in their path, as this season Miami only wants healthy, available players. And now that window is closed, and the 30-year-old is heading to China for the next season.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald , the Heat are "expected to be patient with its 15th roster spot," which will allow them to observe and make a sound decision by choosing someone who they see as a "real difference-maker." And beyond the free agents, a buyout is another method to achieve this goal.

Currently, the Heat have 14 players on standard contracts, including 13 veterans and one rookie, and all three two-way spots filled. Continuing from last season are: Bam Adebayo , Andrew Wiggins , Nikola Jović , Davion Mitchell , Pelle Larsson , Simone Fontecchio , Dru Smith , Myron Gardner , while added this year are: Giannis Antetokounmpo , Bobby Portis , Tim Hardaway Jr., Klay Thompson , Nick Richards , Tre Donaldson (2-way deal), and Ryan Conwell .

As Miami continues to hesitate in making a choice, there is also the idea on the back burner that they might enter the season with 14 players while buying time for the last piece of the puzzle. But lately, Miami has been holding off on some important decisions, only to finalize them at the last minute, like extending Larsson on a 4-year contract recently.

If they make up their minds, they can surprise everyone with a last-minute signing before the official season starts.

Photo Credit: David Kirouac, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect