Heat Shift Roster to Stock G League Affiliate Skyforce
The team signs Ezra Ausar to an Exhibit 10 contract ahead of Monday's regular-season roster deadline.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you support NBA teams using G League assignments to manage their developmental rosters?
The Miami Heat are refining their roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season, waiving forward Ian Schieffelin and signing forward Ezra Ausar. The move serves as part of the team's strategy to stock their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Why it matters
The Heat are finalizing their bench and development squad ahead of the NBA regular-season roster deadline on Monday. The team relies on these personnel maneuvers to maintain a pipeline of talent that can bolster the organization's depth throughout the long season.
The Heat are utilizing Exhibit 10 contracts that include a $91,000 bonus for players who spend at least 60 days with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. These moves arrive as the team manages a 21-player preseason roster to meet the league's limit of 15 standard and three two-way contracts.
The players
Miami Heat
The professional basketball team based in Miami.
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The G League affiliate of the Miami Heat.
Ian Schieffelin
The forward recently waived by the Miami Heat.
Ezra Ausar
The forward recently signed by the Miami Heat.
The details
The Heat signed Ezra Ausar following the departure of Ian Schieffelin, who averaged 7.7 points during his three preseason games. By signing Ausar under an Exhibit 10 contract, the team anticipates waiving him so he can join the Skyforce. The organization is working to clear these moves before the 5 p.m. Saturday deadline to ensure players clear waivers without further contractual obligation.
Timeline
Saturday 5 p.m.: Expected deadline for roster moves to clear waivers.
Monday 5 p.m.: NBA regular-season roster deadline.
Oct. 24: G League draft.
Nov. 6: G League season opening.
Beyond the 305
The NBA's Exhibit 10 contract structure allows teams to incentivize G League participation, a policy followed by every franchise. The Heat's current strategy follows this league-wide trend of using financial bonuses to maintain deep control over their minor-league developmental prospects.
Fans tracking the Heat roster can expect these developmental changes to dictate which players take the floor in Sioux Falls rather than at the Kaseya Center. These roster shifts set the stage for the team's rotation throughout the opening months of the NBA season.
The takeaway
The Heat are prioritizing the development of their G League affiliate to build long-term roster depth. Keep an eye on the G League season opener on November 6 to see which of these preseason prospects emerge as key contributors.
What happens next
The Heat must finalize their roster by 5 p.m. this Monday to meet the league requirement of 15 standard contracts and three two-way players.
Further reading
For more on how the team shapes its bench, visit the Miami Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
Live Poll
Do you support NBA teams using G League assignments to manage their developmental rosters?
