The Heat have bought out 29-year old small forward James Jones contract for $1.9 million bucks. Jones played in 36 games (6 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 14.0 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He played in 76 games (7 starts) in two years with the Heat and he averaged 14.9 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. This was another move to clear up even more cap space for free agency.

UPDATE: (7/18/2010) - The Heat have re-signed James Jones to a 1-year, $1 million dollar deal.

The Miami Heat made history when it selected 21-year old power forward Latavious Williams with the #48 overall pick of the NBA Draft. They selected him out of the NBA’s Development League making him the first player ever drafted out of that league. Williams played in 47 games (9 starts) for the Tulsa 66ers in which he averaged 7.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The Heat liked what they saw out of him last season and they think he has a nice little upside.

UPDATE: (6/25/2010) - The Heat have traded Latavious Williams to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2nd round pick in 2011.

The Heat have selected 22-year old small forward Da’Sean Butler with the 42nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Butler played in 38 games (all starts) last season for West Virginia and he averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He played in 146 games (110 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Butler tore his ACL in the NCAA tournament which is why he slid so far in the draft. The Heat might have another steal here.

The Heat have picked 22-year old power forward Jarvis Varnado with the 41st overall pick of the NBA Draft. Varnado played in 36 games (all starts) at Mississippi State last season and he averaged 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 4.7 blocked shots per game. He played in 141 games (119 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 4.0 blocked shots per game. Many experts had Varnado getting picked in the first round so this was a outstanding value pick for the Heat.

The Miami Heat have selected 22-year old center Dexter Pittman out of Texas with the 32nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Pittman will have to watch his weight as he is 6′10″, 290 pounds. He played in 34 games (all starts) at Texas last season and he averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Pittman played in 134 games (59 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 6.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.9 blocked shots per game. The Heat hope that Pittman can provide defense and rebounding for them in the near future.