After some initial hand-wringing about how the Heat would fill out their roster after committing nearly all of their cap space to the super-team trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami has indeed filled out most of its roster with a mostly competent assortment of veteran and rookie role players. The latest to (re)join the Heat? Point guard Carlos Arroyo and three-point specialist James Jones, according to Ira Winderman of the Miami Sun-Sentinel.
Miami Heat Bring Back Carlos Arroyo, James Jones
The 31-year old Arroyo shuffled between Miami's starting spot and the bench last season, and figures to be the primary backup to presumed starter Mario Chalmers this coming year. Arroyo averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 assists per game for the Heat last season, to go with a 4.17 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for second in the league behind Chris Paul.
Arroyo is currently preparing for the World Basketball Championships, representing Puerto Rico, for whom he has played some of his best basketball, as those who remember his virtuoso performance against the United States in 2004 can attest. Arroyo will fly back to Miami to officially sign his contract on Thursday, and emailed reporters that he is “excited to win a championship!” with the Heat this season.
Pat Riley has also brought back 29-year old forward James Jones, who figures to help spread the court for the Heat's superstars thanks to his accuracy from long-range. The 6-foot-8 Jones first came to prominence under Mike D'Antoni with the Suns, but he brought his smooth shooting stroke to Miami last season, connecting on 41 percent of his three-point attempts.
For more on the Heat, check out Peninsula Is Mightier.
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