Summer League hoops getting warmed up
Former Syracuse Orange forward Cole Swider enters this summer as a restricted free agent and his NBA career at a critical point.
Having spent the last two years on a two-contract, Swider is hoping to earn a guaranteed deal, either in Miami or with another team.
“Obviously, the Heat have my rights as a restricted free agent,” Swider said. “I want to be here. But at the same time, it’s all up to the things that I can control and I’m going to bring the energy, the effort and try to lead this summer league team to have a great summer league.”
The Heat have two open roster spots right now, but summer league also gives Swider a chance to open the eyes of other NBA teams. In his first two games in California, he’s averaging 19 points per game while shooting 56% from 3.
As the NBA puts a bigger emphasis on players who can make shots, Swider could find a role as a reserve. His ceiling depends on how he can hold up defensively, but knocking down shots at a 50%+ clip is going to give him chances to succeed.
Judah Mintz began his professional career when his Philadelphia Sixers squad faced Buddy Boeheim’s new team, the Oklahoma City Thunder in Salt Lake City. The Sixers got the win and Mintz went 3-6 from the field with 2 assists and 2 steals in 16 minutes of action.
Jared ➡️ Judah. pic.twitter.com/pqtvX5ubit
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 8, 2024
Buddy played 9 minutes in his OKC debut and went 2-4 from 3, while adding 2 rebounds. Both former Syracuse players are back in action tonight as Philly plays Memphis and OKC faces off against the host Utah Jazz.