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From purgatory to playing time: Heat’s Keels savoring summer opportunity; Gardner sidelined
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- From purgatory to playing time: Heat’s Keels savoring summer opportunity; Gardner sidelined
LAS VEGAS — Trevor Keels was somebody. Then he wasn't.
That makes his story a bit different than others on the Miami Heat summer-league roster attempting to make it to the NBA.
In 2022-23, the No. 42 pick out of Duke in the 2022 draft was there with the New York Knicks , with a three-game taste of the NBA. Then he was gone, the next two seasons just another G League guard seeking a shot again at game's the top tier.
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This past season, there were eight games with the Heat as part of an NBA career revival.
So that taste.
But also a bitter taste, his two-way contract not renewed this offseason, once again limited to a tryout deal with the Heat's summer roster that returns to action Friday at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League on the UNLV campus against a similar roster of draft picks, young players and free agents from the Milwaukee Bucks .
For some, two years out of the NBA might have been enough to walk away. For some, not being extended a two-way qualifying offer by the Heat might have been the impetus to consider career alternatives.
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But here the 6-foot-5 3-point specialist stands, persevering with the Heat roster being coached by Erik Spoelstra assistant Wayne Ellington .
"For me, I don't take it to heart," Keel said of being invited to summer league by the Heat without any guarantees. "It's the business. I know what I got. I know what I can do. I'm happy they gave me an opportunity to play in the summer league."
And the opportunity has been there, so far averaging 28 1/2 minutes of playing time in his two summer-league appearances, quite the exposure considering summer games are 40 minutes.
"The last couple of summer leagues, I didn't really get the opportunity to play. I was just kind of on the bench," Keels said of summer time with the Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves . "So now that I get to play. I'm just going to show them what I can do. I'm going to earn a two-way back or earn a contract back. I don't look into it as, you know, this team did me this way, did me that way.
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"I love the organization. They do a good job of communicating. And I'm all in. They know I'm all in, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to get a contract or two-way."
As it it, the opportunity could be there.
Teams can carry up to three two-way players. At the moment, only undrafted University of Miami guard Tre Donaldson holds such a Heat deal, with a qualifying offer in place for such a deal with returning center Vlad Goldin. That means one such spot, and possibly two, available.
What already has been unusual about this summer league for Keels is that there actually are scouting reports in place.
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Such is life after a 12-for-12 3-point performance in a game last season with the Heat's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce.
"A lot of guys are running me off the line now," he said with a bit of a laugh, "knowing I can shoot the ball. Now I'm using my pump fake, just showing them that I progressed in the summer, that I got better.
"It's just showing them I can play defense, I can rebound. Knowing I can shoot the ball, now I'm just doing other things, playing Miami defense, that tenacity, just getting under guys and being a pest. I think that's what I'm showing out here."
Even without a contract.
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Even without a Heat commitment going forward beyond these remaining summer-league games.
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After a humbling two seasons in the purgatory of the G League, there remains hope within the 22-year-old native of Maryland since the Heat took notice a year ago.
"I mean definitely like I'm human, like we are humans," he said. "I was with the Knicks, was on the two-way, and the last couple years I was in the G League. So I had to regroup how to build those habits again, find myself again, and I'm happy for this organization."
Gardner done
The sprained ankle that took Myron Gardner out of the Heat's summer opener last Friday against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center will wind up ending his time with the team's summer roster, returning to Miami on Wednesday for treatment.
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Gardner has a $500,000 guarantee on his $2.6 million contract for next season, also under contract for 2027-28.
Also out of the summer picture for the Heat is forward Keshad Johnson , who spent time with the team at the California Classic but is not with the team in Las Vegas, after initial word he might participate.
Johnson is an unrestricted free agent, after the Heat declined to extend a qualifying offer. He is eligible to return to the Heat on a two-way contract.
Heat at NBA Summer League
(On UNLV campus, Las Vegas)
Friday:vs. Bucks, 4 p.m. Eastern (Prime, WPLG Local 10).
Saturday:vs. Magic, 3:30 p.m. Eastern (Prime, WPLG Local 10).
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Monday:vs. Cavaliers, 8 p.m. Eastern (Prime, WPLG Local 10).
July 16:vs. Raptors, 9 p.m. Eastern (ESPN2).
(Plus at least one additional game.)
