Jamal Cain’s preseason provided payoff, if not necessarily in his Heat paycheck

MIAMI — The contract continues to say two-way, as much a factor of NBA bookkeeping as any notion of failing to make gains. But the preseason attested to the reality that second-year Miami Heat forward Jamal Cain has made strides.

With three eye-opening performances in four preseason appearances, the 24-year-old who went undrafted out of Oakland University in 2022 showed there is more to offer than a year ago, when there was little more than a summer-league resume.

Against the San Antonio Spurs, there were 24 points and 10 rebounds. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, 14 points and seven rebounds. And then, 14 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets before being sidelined by illness before Friday night’s preseason finale against the Houston Rockets.

As a matter of perspective, in similar preseason minutes, Bam Adebayo did not have more than six rebounds in any exhibition.

As further perspective, the 6-foot-7 prospect finished the preseason with 15 offensive rebounds, with no teammate with more than eight.

“I know that’s a great way to get me going, grab the rebounds, just get a feel of the ball,” Cain said.

All while aware that the Heat’s developmental program continually seeks more boxes to be checked.

“I feel like I’ve checked a few,” he said of his preseason. “I still have a couple more that I want to check, personally. I want to be a better 3-point shooter. I know I’ve been hitting ’em lately, but still want to improve that.”

Actually, the box also was checked, closing the preseason at 8 of 12 on 3-pointers. By contrast, point guard Dru Smith, who got the upgrade from two-way contract to standard deal that was denied Cain, closed the preseason 1 of 8 on 3-pointers.

Most of Cain’s preseason action came while starters sat, with the thought that Smith meshes better with that first group.

There also had been questions about Cain’s defense, since the Heat’s roster already has numerous liabilities on that end.

“I feel like I’ve improved off ball, on ball,” he said. “Now I’m trying to be more of like a disruptor, trying to frustrate someone. That’s why I’ve been picking up fullcourt, and have the endurance for it, and as far as seeing guys get frustrated.”

If or when Cain is upgraded to a standard deal, it likely will come with coach Erik Spoelstra signing off on that defensive element.

“To be able to play in our defensive system, you have to have a level of discipline and focus,” Spoelstra said, when asked about Cain. “He has the effort. He has the intensity. He has the quickness, the quick twitch, all the stuff that stands out. And he’s been committed to the process that’s laborious. It really is.

“I give him a lot of credit for that, for drilling it and just the constant drilling off the ball. On the ball, even then there, he’s made a lot of improvement, just the discipline of not turning his head and making mistakes where guys can go away from the pick and that kind of thing. And he can be extremely disruptive on the ball. Off the ball, he’s made a lot better progress, which is the toughest thing to do for young players in this league.”

So, for now, Cain remains on a contract that for the entire season will pay roughly what the Heat have guaranteed Smith on his standard deal, with a $425,000 commitment.

Progress made. More sought.

“It’s gratifying to see that kind of improvement in a young player, particularly when it’s not easy, it’s just not for undrafted guys,” Spoelstra said. “You have probably more tough days than you have breakthrough days. He’s stayed the course.”

From the wire

Among transactions at the NBA’s cut-down deadline were several involving those with previous ties to the Heat.

Former Heat guard Rodney McGruder was waived by the Golden State Warriors.

Former Heat first-round pick Justise Winslow was signed and waived by the Toronto Raptors as a means of funneling him to their affiliate in the G League.

Former Heat two-way player Javonte Smart was signed to a two-way deal by the Philadelphia 76ers, while former Heat two-way player Mychal Mulder was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Heat 2023 summer prospect Patrick Gardner was signed and waived by the Nets to funnel him to their affiliate in the G League.

Former Heat G League prospect D.J. Stewart was waived by the Boston Celtics.