The defending NBA champions make two additions to their roster for training camp but the search for other options is still on.....
The Miami Heat management has confirmed that they have added Jarvis Varnado and Mickell Gladness to their roster for the duration of the training camp as get ready to prepare for a repeat. Both of these players played for Miami
in the summer league but there tenures have only been guaranteed until the completion of training camp.
Varnado was Miami’s second round draft pick in 2010 and still holds the record for most blocked shots in a single NCAA season. But despite his impressive college showing, he has been unable to seal a permanent place in the Miami
roster. He had been a part of training camps last season before going over to Italy and Israel to pursue other options.
On the other hand, Gladness has been a part of the Miami roster for short spans and was present on the roster in last season’s opener against Dallas Mavericks before being waived off. He eventually found his way to a contract with
the Golden State Warriors but did have two more 10-day contracts with Miami last season.
At the moment, Miami have 13 players on guaranteed contracts and are allowed to invite as many as 20 players to training camp as per NBA rules.
Out of these two, Varnado is more likely to land a place on the Miami roster with his ability to play both centre and the forward positions. And based on his exploits overseas, he is more likely to adapt faster than Dexter Pittman
and may even be given a nod ahead of him in the rotation system by Erik Spoelstra.
While Varnado’s chances look promising, Gladness will have to work extremely hard in order to finally land a place in the Heat roster. The most important thing he will need to improve is his transition skills as Spoelstra remains
adamant on playing a very high speed brand of basketball again come next season. Gladness may find it hard to adjust into that system and that significantly reduces his chances of making a final cut.
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