Josh Christopher Is a Heat Sign With A Two-Way Contract
Originally published by Sam Amico on Hoops Wire; last updated on July 25, 24.
Josh Christopher, a shooting guard, has agreed to a two-way deal with the Miami Heat, the organization said in a news release.
Christopher, 22, is a 6-foot-5 player who excelled for the Las Vegas Summer League champion Heat, winning MVP honors in the summer championship game. Numerous people believed he was headed towards securing a contract from someone. The Heat is that someone.
Zyon Pullin, a rookie who was not selected, was released by the Heat as part of a two-way contract. The Heat have Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson on two-ways in addition to Christoper, for an NBA maximum of three players.
Prior to being moved to the Memphis Grizzlies, Christopher played his first two seasons with the Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies eventually waived him, and he later signed with the Utah Jazz, who let him loose in January.
However, as his summer campaign shown, he probably has a place in the league.
Throughout this July exhibition, the 24th choice in the 2021 draft continually delivered when it mattered most. Will Salinas of Fansided wrote, “There was the explosive 20-point performance in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the clutch and one against the Golden State Warriors to send them to the Summer League Championship, and then his 24-point (six three-pointers) performance that included a step-back three-pointer from the logo.”
With 138 games played, Christopher has averaged 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 27.7% from three-point range. He didn’t play in any games the previous season.
In case you missed it, forward Haywood Highsmith, who is not to be confused with a two-way player, just signed a two-year contract with the Heat.
After graduating from Division II Wheeling University undetected in 2018, Highsmith secured a position with the Philadelphia 76ers, making five appearances in his rookie campaign. After that, he lived abroad for two years before joining the Heat.
He played in 66 games last season, which was a career high, and he averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 39.6% from three-point range and 46.5% from the field.
