MIAMI — Hours after waiving Terry Rozier, the Miami Heat on Friday night elevated guard Jahmir Young from his two-way contact to a standard deal.
Although signed for the remainder of this season and next season, there is not a guarantee in the contract for next season.
Ostensibly, the contract allows Young to be placed on the Heat’s postseason roster, with two-way players ineligible for the postseason. The move also doubles Young’s salary for the regular-season finale.
The Heat conclude their regular season Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center, to then open the postseason in an elimination game against the Charlotte Hornets in the play-in round on either Tuesday night or Wednesday night. The site of that game will be determined by Sunday’s results.
Young this season thrived with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, named second-team All-G League. In February, he was invited to participate in the Rising Stars event during NBA All-Star Weekend.
The move means that the Heat’s two other two-way players, Vlad Goldin and Trevor Keels will be ineligible to play beyond Sunday’s regular-season finale, although still allowed to practice, travel and work out with the team.
The deadline has passed for the Heat to sign a two-way player in Young’s place.
Young becomes the second player elevated by the Heat this season from a two-way contract, with the Heat previously having done so with guard Myron Gardner.
Young, 25, went undrafted out of Maryland in 2024, after starting his collegiate career at Charlotte.
After time with the G League affiliates of the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls, with whom he also saw NBA action in 2024-25, Young signed an Exhibit 10 tryout contract with the Heat last July, later converted to his Heat two-way contract on Oct. 18.
His upgrade to the 15th and final standard roster spot comes in the wake of Heat guards Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith being sidelined from Friday night’s 140-117 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Young played the final minute of the rout, missing his lone shot and passing for one assist.
Young has appeared in 13 games with the Heat this season for a total of 55 minutes, averaging 1.7 points, shooting .375 from the field, .250 on 3-pointers and 1.000 from the foul line.
During his time with the Heat’s G League affiliate this season, Young appeared in 25 games, averaging 26 points, 8.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds, shooting .471 from the field, .374 on 3-pointers and .813 from the line.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra offered praise for Young earlier this season.
“Jahmir has been one of the better surprises of the season,” Spoelstra said. “He’s been playing simply fantastic basketball in Sioux Falls. And then whenever we have an opportunity to see him, he’s just a handful because he’s going full speed.”
Spoelstra said Young’s energy has been tangible during practices.
“Our guys are always telling him, ‘Hey, dial it back a little bit,’ ” Spoelstra said of his players. “And we’re always telling him, ‘No, be who you are. Be a total nightmare to guard.’”