Michael Beasley, Roger Mason Jr. Earn Extended Tryouts with Miami Heat

You may not recall the "Ballad of Jorts."

Josh Harrellson, known best for his unapologetic appreciation of jeans shorts, was one of three new additions to the Miami Heat roster for the start of the 2012-13 season. He was certainly less heralded than Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis.

In his first two months, he played a total of 10 minutes before receiving an opportunity of sorts in Milwaukee on Dec. 28.

With Udonis Haslem unable to play, Harrellson learned 40 minutes prior to tipoff that he'd be stashing his street clothes. He looked lost while playing 18 minutes in a 19-point loss. Waived before his contract was guaranteed, he played just four more minutes for Miami, replaced by Chris Andersen, who quickly became a South Florida folk hero.

Will the same fate befall Michael Beasley and Roger Mason Jr.?

Maybe not, but nor should anyone make too much of both making the Heat's 15-man roster to start the 2013-14 season. That became official with the Heat's waiving of prospects Eric Griffin and Justin Hamilton on Saturday.

It has been clear for weeks that both would make it at least that far, with Mason Jr. providing some versatility and shooting touch from the perimeter and Beasley showing a bit more discipline than during his first Heat stint.

But Miami doesn't need to guarantee either until Jan. 10, making this an extended trial. Heat officials have made it clear that they prize their versatility, whether it means calling up a developing talent from the Sioux Falls Skyforce or signing a veteran who gets bought out elsewhere.

Unless Pat Riley manages to trade Joel Anthony—a near-impossible task considering Anthony's $3.9 million player option for the 2014-15 season—Mason Jr. and Beasley would be the easiest to purge to create space.

Beasley deserves praise for buying in so far.

Mason warrants some for bypassing offers elsewhere (notably Chicago and Oklahoma City) and then working his way into the Heat's plans.

But last season, Harrellson, Terrel Harris and Dexter Pittman were with the Heat at the start of the season and not for the championship parade.

So it's not time for either to celebrate yet.