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Heat’s Tre Donaldson not a man on the move, which ex-Cane hopes remains the case
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- Heat’s Tre Donaldson not a man on the move, which ex-Cane hopes remains the case
MIAMI — Settling in hasn't been a problem for Miami Heat rookie guard Tre Donaldson. Such are the benefits of the undrafted University of Miami guard already having been settled in.
His name not called in the draft, Donaldson was signed to a two-way contract by the Heat immediately after its conclusion, easing the transition to the degree that he said he is living in the same place he was during his one season with the Hurricanes.
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"I didn't have to move, so that's a blessing," he said. "The transition's been great."
Although not necessarily guaranteed a roster spot — with two-way spots eligible to be subbed out at any time — Donaldson's solid play during summer league and the Heat's lack of depth at point guard both work in his favor.
If he makes it across the finish line to opening night, he would join a Hurricanes-to-Heat pipeline that over the franchise's first 38 seasons included Heat long-termer James Jones (2008-14) and Heat one-year roster components Tim James (1999-20) and Robert Hite (2006-07). Otherwise, he could follow former Hurricanes Darius Rice and Davon Reed in merely winding up with a Heat tryout.
"Me being with Miami last year, it's a totally different aspect being with the Heat this upcoming season," Donaldson said, before helping 10 students from Advocacy Network on Disabilities at a Heat back-to-school shopping spree at a Walmart Supercenter. "So just trying to take it all in and learn as much as possible."
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What he already has learned is that there is no Heat offseason, already back to work at Kaseya Center, with training camp still six weeks away.
"Ever since we got back from Vegas, I've been straight to it," he said of the turnaround from summer league, which he ended with a 20-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist performance in a victory over the Detroit Pistons' summer roster . "Just trying to continue to shoot the ball better, things of that nature, just trying to learn what it is to be in this Heat culture and in this organization.
"I'm just big on learning. So just learning what it looks like, the new rules and stuff like that, that's different for me, and understanding that it's going to be a lot of highs, a lot of lows, but just taking it and learning from it and then just adding it."
With the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo , the Heat had to move on from guards Tyler Herro , Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Tim Hardaway Jr . is the only veteran guard brought in so far.
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"Right now, I'm just trying to show them that I belong," Donaldson said of the backcourt opportunity that could be at hand. "That's the biggest thing, just showing them that I can do the right things, I can be solid for them.
"Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to do at my best of ability. Other than that, I just have to worry about how my offseason is going to go and just take it day by day."
Donaldson's two-way deal allows for up to 50 regular-season games on the active roster, ineligible for the playoffs, on a contract that pays half the standard minimum. The status also positions him to potentially contend for a standard roster spot.
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Eventually, there will be competition. For now, the assistance has been ample, including from Dru Smith , a potential competitor for playing time.
"Super, super motivational for sure, seeing Dru," Donaldson said of a player who arguably most personifies Heat perseverance, having also started on a Heat two-way contract. "Actually, when I got here, that's the first person I worked out with. Me and Dru were the first people in the gym.
"Just learning what helps him stick in this league and what can I take from him has been big for me."
As far as what is to follow, Donaldson said he is well aware of the Heat's conditioning standards.
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"I just came from the gym just now," he said. "I'm a workaholic. I'm looking forward to it. They tell me it's tough, but I'm looking forward to it for sure."
