The Miami Heat came up empty on the Damian Lillard front this offseason, so they are bringing in another deadeye shooter instead (albeit to sit behind their bench).
Miami announced Friday that they have reunited with their retired former guard Wayne Ellington. The 35-year-old Ellington will be joining head coach Erik Spoelstra’s staff as a player development coach.
Ellington, a 13-year NBA veteran, played for the Heat from 2016-19. Known for his production behind the arc, Ellington hit a then-franchise record 227 three-pointers in 2017-18 (a mark that has since been surpassed by Duncan Robinson). He also represented Miami during the NBA All-Star Three Point Contest that very same season.
The Heat generally tend to keep things in the family (as further evidenced by the hire of Ellington). Former Heat players Caron Butler, Chris Quinn, and Malik Allen already hold spots on Spoelstra’s coaching staff. Ex-Miami great Alonzo Mourning is also vice president of player programs and development for the team, and another former Heat champion has held a prominent front office post too.
At one point, Edwards was asked about “whose team” the Timberwolves belong to between him and longtime T-Wolves star Karl-Anthony Towards. Instead of answering the question, Edwards fired back at the apparent attempt to create a rift between the two teammates.
“That’s what people try to do, man. They try to, like, break you up. Who’s the best player, you or [Towns]? Or who should take the last shot, you or KAT? And I don’t think it’s about any of that,” said Edwards, via The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
Towns had long been seen as the franchise player of the Timberwolves ever since he was drafted in 2015. However, since the arrival of Edwards, the franchise’s favor appears to have shifted toward the younger star — and for good reason.
Towns has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, something you most definitely can’t say about Edwards.
But despite the questions surrounding the Timberwolves’ star pairing, Edwards and Towns appear to still be on the same page.
