Key Takeaways

• After the season opener against Minnesota, the Heat’s issues in guard play were underscored, creating a clear case for giving Ryan Conwell a chance in the rotation.
• Conwell stood out in preseason actions by showing comfort getting to his spots, initiating plays, and knocking down 3s, contrasting with other options who failed to spark offensively.
• The piece notes Tim Hardaway Jr.’s off shooting night as a reason to test Conwell in actual rotation minutes, arguing he could offer more offensive threat.
• Although Conwell isn’t a traditional playmaker (college average of 2.7 assists per game), his propensity for 3-point attempts—seven-plus per game in his last three college seasons—positions him as a potential spacing asset.
• There’s a suggestion that Conwell could be valuable in Giannis + bench lineups and that pairing him with stars might mitigate defensive fatigue for opponents.
• The analysis argues Conwell’s fit may be superior to Nikola Jovic’s current presence, and that Spoelstra typically gives opportunities to young players when a team needs a lift; the decision hinges on whether he’s ready for meaningful minutes.