Just as quick as a plan seems to take form in the NBA, the potential takes a turn for the worse and everything falls right out of place.
The Miami Heat experienced that yesterday as fans watched news of Marcus Thornton signing on with the Washington Wizards scroll across their timelines. Not only did the move take away from the addition of a 36 percent three-point shooter to their lackluster team from behind the arc, but it also left the Heat with one less body to pursue when their luxury tax problems free up during the last week of the 2015-16 season.
To make matters worse, Miami’s latest D-League find — Briante Weber — was signed to a 10-day contract by the Memphis Grizzlies. But his agent pointed out that the former VCU point guard is not likely to stay in Memphis beyond another mini deal because of the team only being able to go over their 15-player roster limit as an exception until a few of their injures are healed.
That part of the equation can be looked at as a positive, but the unwanted attention that Memphis is bringing the man averaging 11 points, five rebounds and four assists could spoil Miami’s plan to add the Patrick Beverley prototype as a third point guard for the playoffs.
However, all is not lost as there is a chance that Miami could still end up with Weber and a 3-and-D player returning from China like Dorell Wright — hopefully not coming out empty handed after falling victim to being handicapped by the league’s luxury tax. Unfortunately, part of it could come down to if Mario Chalmers‘ injury in Memphis, last night, throws another monkey wrench in the team’s plans.
