There are now three rookies competing for the 15th and final roster spot on the Miami Heat as the team announced Monday the signing of small forward Da'Sean Butler.
Butler signed a two-year, partial guarantee contract, which will earn him at least partial financial compensation for both seasons. Butler will be competing for the final supporting position around the new Big Three in South Beach, and the competition is tight.
Guards Kenny Hasbrouck and Patrick Beverley are also in the running for the 15th spot, and may have an edge over Butler, who is currently recuperating from a knee injury. The small forward tore his ACL while playing in a Final Four game as a senior with West Virginia. It is being reported that Butler will not be ready for the start of training camp.
Beverley may have the edge over both Butler and Hasbrouck, as the latter just received a two-game suspension from the NBA after pleading guilty to DUI. Beverley also has a fully guaranteed two-year contract worth $1.2 million, as opposed to Butler and Hasbrouck's partial guaranteed contracts.
Decisions won't be made until after training camp, where the Heat will then opt to keep one of the three rookies on for the final roster spot. It's also possible that the team could pick up a league veteran dropped from another team's camp, leaving Beverley, Butler and Hasbrouck off the roster.
Despite his injury, Heat president Pat Riley has been impressed by Butler's play in the past. Riley has compared the West Virginia alum to Dallas Mavericks small forward Caron Butler who is known for his athleticism and offensive drive.
Da'Sean Butler averaged 17.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in his final season with the Mountaineers.
