A.J. Hammons returns to practice

A.J. Hammons can now show to what extent he can contribute to the Heat coaching staff.

After suffering from the flu for the past week, the young 7-foot center returned to the Heat practice court Tuesday.

As I mentioned when Hammons first got the flu, Erik Spoelstra said that he will not cut anyone from the roster. Players will either make the team or play for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s developmental league affiliate team.

Hammons won’t get many minutes this year — with Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, James Johnson and Bam Adebayo all standing ahead of him on the depth chart. But some quality performances in the preseason could lead Spoelstra to give Hammons a chance if foul trouble or injury forces him to look to his bench.