Josh McRoberts said on Saturday that his rehabilitation process from surgery on the meniscus of his right knee has gone well and added that he is looking forward to playing with the new-look Heat next season.

McRoberts is traveling with the Heat during its final multi-game road trip of the regular season, and on Saturday morning he joked around and shot layups with teammates after the Heat's shootaround at Detroit Country Day Upper School. The Heat plays the Pistons at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills in a game that could help determine seeding for the upcoming playoffs.

McRoberts tore his meniscus on Dec.9 during a game against the Phoenix Suns after a lengthy rehabilitation for toe surgery. He also injured his back on the Heat's first day of training camp. It has been a frustrating year for the Heat's power forward, who signed a four-year deal with the Heat last summer.

“It has been a process," McRoberts said. "It’s tough not being able to be a part of it when you’re used to being a part of it.”

McRoberts put to rest speculation that he might return for the end of this season or the playoffs. There are only seven games remaining of the regular season, and the Heat is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.

"I wouldn’t think so," McRoberts said. "I would still think I’d be out for the year at this point."

While McRoberts didn't want to go into detail about his surgery, he did clarify that his knee surgery "was totally different" than procedures this season to Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets. Walker is back playing for the Hornets, who trail the Heat by two games in the loss column. Rose has left open the possibility for a return during the playoffs.

In general terms, there are two types of surgeries athletes have on their meniscus ligaments. One surgery reconstructs the ligament after a tear and the other shaves away part of the ligament. The reconstruction surgery comes with a longer time for recovery. Wade has his meniscus removed while at Marquette, and he blames that procedure for many of his current-day knee problems.

"It takes a while to recover from the surgery, so I think it’s going well," McRoberts said. "We have a great staff here that I’m working with to try and get me back."

McRoberts hasn't been cleared for basketball activity. His interaction with the team on Saturday was limited to bouncing a ball and the occasional lazy shot. He's running on a treadmill and working out in the Heat's rehabilitation pool.

"Nothing too crazy," McRoberts said. "The day I got the surgery I was hoping to come back right away, but I’m just taking it a day at a time and trying to recover. They announced I was out for the season earlier in the year, so we’re still standing by that in terms of it would be tough to make a comeback because of how long the recovery is from surgery."

When McRoberts returns next season, he'll be rejoining a team completely different than the one he left in December. Hassan Whiteside has emerged as one of the top young centers in the NBA and the Heat acquired point guard Goran Dragic in a trade.

"I think it’s exciting to think about, but obviously I’m still focused on the guys and the possibility of what we can do here heading into the playoffs," McRoberts said.

McRoberts was a projected starter last summer when he signed with the Heat as a free agent. With the emergence of Whiteside, McRoberts might now be coming off the bench next season. There's also a possibility McRoberts could start alongside both Whiteside and Chris Bosh. Whatever combination coach Erik Spoelstra considers, one thing is certain: the Heat, on paper, has the chance to be a contender in the East next season if everyone returns healthy for preseason training camp.

McRoberts said he's excited to play with Whiteside considering "what he’s able to do and how he’s able to affect the game."

"I want to play with every guy on the team," McRoberts said. "I just want to get back out there. I haven’t really thought too far ahead but obviously those guys are big additions."