Q: Ira, explain to me this Exhibit 10 thing that we’ve signed this new guy to? Is he part of the team? – Kelvin.
A: Exhibit 10 contracts basically are camp invitations that allow said player to earn up to a $91,000 bonus if cut ahead of the season, provided they spend 60 days of the season in the G League. For the bulk of players you see agreeing to such deals, it often is a means of creating a pipeline to their G League affiliate. Such is the case with Tuesday’s waiver claim of Bez Mbeng, the former Yale guard who spent last season with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The move put the Heat’s camp roster at 19, two shy of the maximum, with more Exhibit 10 players expected to be signed. While it is unlikely any Exhibit 10 player will earn a standard Heat contract, in light of having 14 players under such deals for camp, an Exhibit 10 deal can be converted to a two-way contract. So the carrot, at the moment, for Mbeng likely is the opportunity to compete in camp for one of the maximum three two-way spots currently held by Tre Donaldson, Vlad Goldin and Keshad Johnson. Remember, two-way contacts can be swapped out at any time.
Q: Who else are the Heat signing for camp? – Edwin.
A: I would expect several players. A benefit of the Exhibit 10 path is you can then waive such players during camp to bring in additional Exhibit 10 players, as a means of fortifying your G League roster. We know the Heat have Exhibit 10 plans already in place for summer prospects Ezra Ausar and Ian Schieffelin, with the door also open for Tre White and possibly others either with summer ties to the Heat or from last season’s Skyforce roster.
Q: All of this talk of possibly being a play-in team again has got me nervous. If I’m Giannis Antetokounmpo and that turns out to happen, why would I stick around? He could have just stayed in Milwaukee. – Bob, Davie.
A: Because we’re beyond the point of sticking around, and because this was his choice, one he imposed on the Bucks. Beginning on Jan. 6, Giannis Antetokounmpo can sign a max-level extension with the Heat. He is not going to leave those dollars behind to see how it plays out. He has to make it work and the Heat have to make it work.