The Miami Heat will be heading into a pivotal 2025-26 NBA season with their 5-time All-Defensive Team center Bam Adebayo at the helm and their first-time All-Star in 2025 Tyler Herro set to miss an extended period of time due to injury.
While their immediate future may appear dire, the franchise received a chance to get a closer look at their most promising prospects and potential roster acquisitions throughout the preseason. In fact, their front office decided to make an intriguing signing during the preseason by picking up Temple University product Steve Settle III on Tuesday.
Unfortunately for the 6-foot-10 two-way prospect, the organization reportedly decided that an immediate change of direction was necessary.
"Heat announces it has waived forward Steve Settle III to add guard Bez Mbeng," Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang shared via X on Thursday night.
"Mbeng was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year three times and played four seasons at Yale. Heat preseason roster still at maximum of 21 players."
Just 48 hours after Settle III was introduced as Miami's latest pickup, the talented forward has already been replaced by former Yale University star Bez Mbeng.
While Mbeng may fit more within the team's 'Heat Culture' philosophy thanks to his incredible defensive ability, Settle III did not even receive a chance to prove that he can impact winning on both ends of the floor for a franchise known for developing under-the-radar talent.
Throughout his senior campaign with Temple in 2024-25, Settle III truly broke out as an efficient, methodical scorer with an impressive handle for his size. In 31 appearances, he contributed 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks while knocking down 41.6% of his attempts from three-point range.
Settle III might not have been given a fair shot with the Heat to this juncture, but it's plausible to believe that he can land on the team's Sioux Falls Skyforce G-League roster in the coming days or weeks.
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