The Heat started the 2016/17 season with a 7-12 record, then had a pair of wild swings, losing 18 of their next 22 games before winning 30 of their final 41. There’s reason to believe that Miami’s strong second half is a positive sign of things to come, but a few of the club’s key players from that run are now eligible for free agency. That will create some uncertainty going forward, but with Chris Bosh‘s $25MM+ salary no longer on their books, the Heat will have a little more room to maneuver this offseason.
Here’s where things currently stand for the Heat financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2017:
Guaranteed Salary
- Hassan Whiteside ($23,775,506)
- Goran Dragic ($17,000,450)
- Josh McRoberts ($6,021,175) — Exercised player option.
- Tyler Johnson ($5,881,260)
- Justise Winslow ($2,705,040)
- Total: $55,383,431
- Note: Chris Bosh‘s $25,289,390 salary removed from cap due to medical ruling.
Player Options
- None
Team Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Salary
- Wayne Ellington ($6,270,000)1
- Josh Richardson ($1,471,382)2
- Rodney McGruder ($1,312,611)3
- Okaro White ($1,312,611)4
- Total: $10,366,604
Restricted Free Agents
- None
Cap Holds
- Udonis Haslem ($7,600,000)
- James Johnson ($4,800,000)
- Dion Waiters ($3,477,600) — Player option declined.
- No. 14 overall pick ($2,490,360)
- Luke Babbitt ($1,471,382)
- Willie Reed ($1,471,382) — Player option declined.
- Total: $21,310,724
Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000
Maximum Cap Room: $38,232,519
- Taking into account their five guaranteed contracts, plus cap holds for a first-round pick and six empty roster spots, the Heat have a team salary of $62,767,481. However, that would mean waiving all their non-guaranteed players, including Richardson and McGruder, which is very unlikely — still, since those players are on veteran minimum salaries, they won’t cut into Miami’s cap room in a major way.
Footnotes:
- Ellington’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 6.
- Richardson’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30.
- McGruder’s salary becomes partially guaranteed ($452,625) after August 1.
- White’s salary becomes partially guaranteed ($226,312) after July 1. Partial guarantee increases to $452,624 after August 1.
Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post.
Heat could also open like $4 million more if they stretch provision McRoberts.
If they can get James Johnson and Dion Waiters together for $26 million or so, they can use half their remaining cap space to maybe keep Willie Reed at $6-7 million, and Ellington at his number, and/or bring someone in on a cheap deal, or the room exception, to help the 3/4 spots. Winslow and Richardson being healthy should help though. I wouldnt mind someone like Derrick Favors instead of keeping Reed, but I think they’re a bit short on cap space to get him
That seems like the most simple possibility, but there are obviously potential trades they could make as well. I still would like to see them move Whiteside, but I don’t think they’ll do it at this point
Millsap and Heyward are both obvious fits, but Heyward is likely to stay in Utah or could look elsewhere, and Millsap is at an age where it might make more sense to pay a lot less for James Johnson, and therefore use cap space on more pieces…I’ll pass on Blake Griffin
I’d assume they renounce Haslem and Babbitt.
Both staying put, especially UD, at he minimum salary.
No way UD isn’t still here next year
I hate sounding pessimistic but could the Heat actually win if all they did is retain last years team? I mean we definitely couldn’t beat the Celtics or Cavs. What can we do to be a top team?
We had so many injuries last year though, so it’s hard to say. Also, we matchup pretty well with those teams. I think the Heat could have made legit noise this season if they would have made it. Unfortunately, the timing of those injuries took us out of it. Heat were a top 5 defense all season last year. It comes down to continued development and improvement of our young guys. That can push this team ahead. That being said, I would think we could do a lot more if we were to move Whiteside. I just don’t see it happening at this point. One thing with Pat Riley is that he always seems to know exactly what this team needs, and I have faith that they’ll be in position to be competitive next year, regardless of what happens…I also don’t think it’s just about bringing the same team back. They can still retain guys and have some room to make an addition