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Zyon Pullin not sweating release point, as ex-Gator continues Heat tryout

Florida guard Zyon Pullin (0) drives against Auburn guard Tre Donaldson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Florida guard Zyon Pullin (0) drives against Auburn guard Tre Donaldson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
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MIAMI — If nothing else, as the Miami Heat prepare for their preseason opener Tuesday night on the road against the Charlotte Hornets, former University of Florida guard Zyon Pullin is fully schooled in NBA logistics.

Having gone undrafted in June, and yet to play his first NBA minute, the polished playmaker already has found himself a staple of the transaction wire, with one more entry almost assuredly to come by month’s end.

So far, the ledger reads:

June 27: Undrafted, becomes unrestricted free agent.

July 1: Signs two-way contract with Heat.

July 25: Heat end two-way contract.

July 27: Clears waivers, becomes free agent.

Aug. 5: Signs Exhibit 10 camp tryout contract with Heat.

On one hand, a circuitous path to this moment. On the other, a single minded approach when it comes to casting his post-draft future solely to the Heat.

“For me,” Pullin said, “it’s really trying to be the best basketball player I can. Stuff happens. It’s just the industry. Stuff in basketball may not go your way, whatever the case may be. But the organization still loves to have me, and I was just excited to come back and really just work, come to training camp, and learn the system, just develop.

“That’s the biggest thing. I trust this organization. So I just try to be the best basketball player I can be for the Heat.”

From the start, the odds were long, albeit not helped by an uneven run during the Heat’s run to the Las Vegas NBA Summer League championship.

But there also was the opportunity to adjust to NBA competition there, just as there likely will be during the Heat’s five-game preseason schedule.

While the two-way contract would have come with a potentially larger salary payoff, the end result, even with this Exhibit 10 contract, likely will lead to the same destination – the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

He essentially has been told as much by the Heat.

“It’s really just been definitely spend time in Sioux Falls and really just trying that development program, the history and track record it’s had,” Pullin, 23, said. “It’s a reason why I wanted to be here in the first place. So I think it’s just continue to lock in once we go down there and keep developing and see where it goes from there.”

While the Heat likely will go into the season without a true point guard on their standard roster, Pullin presents that potential, with a stellar assist-to-turnover ratio over his college career.

For now, it appears the Heat will go into the season with Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro as their point guards on the standard roster, Dru Smith available for up to 50 regular-season appearances on his two-way contact, and then farm out to Sioux Falls and both Pullin and fellow undrafted point guard Isaiah Stevens, who also is on an Exhibit 10 contract.

By playing at least two months with the Skyforce, Pullin would be eligible for up to a $78,000 Exhibit 10 bonus. Factor in G League salary, and there still could be a six-figure pro debut while awaiting a Heat opportunity (or an NBA opportunity elsewhere).

So, yes, likely a sixth NBA transaction about to be put into play by the NBA Oct. 21 cutdown deadline, ahead of the Heat’s Oct. 23 regular-season opener against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.

Trust, though, in the Heat process remains.

“I had a great conversation with the organization,” Pullin said, having returned to South Florida for drill work well in advance of last week’s start of camp in The Bahamas. “They still would love to have me, very interested. So I think for me it was a no-brainer to come back and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

And, for now, a willingness to grow into something more.

“I think just continuing to defend at a high level, understand those coverages and then just continuing to be better off the ball, pick-and-roll decision making,” Pullin said of his immediate goals. “Little stuff like that.

“So definitely learning how I can be the best version of myself, so when I do get that opportunity, I’m ready.”

Already, it has gotten real, including training-camp reps against Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.

“I think it’s great to be here,” Pullin said. “I go against Jimmy and guys like that, Terry, and match up with all those guys and just keep developing is the biggest thing, and just work against those guys. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Heat preseason schedule

(All games on Bally ֱ Sun, Heat Radio Network)

Tuesday: at Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.

Thursday: vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: vs. New Orleans Pelicans. 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 15: vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m.

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