Rafer

Alston

Alston has benefitted from the extra time on the court, and is expected to be Wade’s primary backup this season.

He suffered the injury when Spurs forward Kevin Willis stepped on him during the third quarter of Tuesday’s game. Alston is expected to be ready to play tomorrow, but he’ll probably come off the bench with Dwyane Wade back.

Alston put up 20 last night after going for 23 in his last game. He’ll return to a reserve role when Dwayne Wade returns, but the Heat don’t lose a whole lot when he’s in there.

''Somebody’s going to give him something legitimate because they know he’s for real now,’' one Eastern Conference executive said. Alston is averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, while keeping his turnovers down and draining threes. He’ll be an exciting draft pick in October if he lands a starting gig somewhere.

Miami had thought Alston would return as Dwyane Wade’s backup for about $2 million per season. Instead, it seems that he’ll be Toronto’s starting point guard.

The team would like to keep Alston as Dwyane Wade’s backup and will probably do so as long as it doesn’t take more than $2 million per season to make it happen.

Alston spent part of last season playing in China, but left for the U.S. to attend a funeral, at which point the team asked him not to return. The 35-year-old might still have enough left to help a team as a backup point guard, but it’s hard to envision him landing in a situation where he has significant value.

The 35-year-old is hoping to make it back to the NBA, but if he does so, it will likely be as a reserve. Alston last played in the NBA in 2009-10, averaging 8.2 points and 3.4 assists in 52 games for New Jersey and Miami combined.

Marc Stein reported about one week ago that Alston could join the D-League, and now it appears the veteran is ready to make the move. Alson last played in the NBA during the 2009-10 season with the Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets, averaging 8.2 points and 3.4 assists.

Alston, who last played in the NBA during the 2009-10 season, will attempt to see if there is any way he can revive his career in the league.