Larry Drew II is now property of the Miami Heat. That means both players allocated from Miami to Sioux Falls last year are under the Heat umbrella for this year. 

In any event, the former UCLA grad still holds value for the 3-time NBA champions and will spend some time in South Beach during the preseason.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel is one of the foremost authorities on inner workings with the Heat. He proposes that Drew II will eventually end up with the Skyforce after his brief time in camp. Winderman also reveals that Drew’s contract is partially guaranteed which means the Heat are leveraging a little financial investment into Drew’s future also. It somewhat softens the blow of allocation to the NBADL should that occur.

Most likely the route will trace a similar arc as last year with a release from the Heat prior to the beginning of the regular season followed by an allocation to Sioux Falls. The main difference would be Drew having spent less time in the Heat’s fall camp this year.

It’s got to be a vote of confidence for Drew who was a member of Miami’s Summer League team, but not invited to camp in favor of a couple more seasoned players in former Skyforce guard Reggie Williams and Chris Johnson who were released by the Heat last week.

Justin Hamilton
(Courtesy Sioux Falls Skyforce)
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Also there is an update regarding former Skyforce center Justin Hamilton. Since being diagnosed with a heart condition a few weeks ago, the 7-footer has been regarded to light duty. Hamilton revealed to Winderman that he has finished taking blood thinning medication which would indicate the next step toward a return to action.  Hamilton was eligible to play Tuesday night's preseason game against the Houston Rockets.  Miami has one more preseason game slated for Friday.

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