Heat extend qualifying offer to Derrick Walton Jr.

About two weeks following the Miami Heat’s decision to extend a qualifying offer to Derrick Jones Jr., the Heat have done the same for their other player on a two-way contract last year — Derrick Walton Jr.

The move will make Walton Jr. a restricted free agent, which allows the Heat to match offers from other teams. Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post said that the move was made with the intention to bring Walton Jr. back on another two-way contract.

Walton Jr. played in 16 games for Miami last season, playing the rest of the season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s G League affiliate. He could be a capable backup point guard in the NBA, but his 6-foot-1 frame made him a liability on defense at times.

The Heat have one more order of business before the July 1 start of free agent — to decide whether to guarantee Rodney McGruder’s $1.5 million contract for next season.