The Heat will face an important decision on Kelly Olynyk at some point this season, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Olynyk can opt out of his contract next summer if he believes he can do better than his $13.2MM salary for 2020/21, and his choice will have a significant effect on Miami’s flexibility in free agency.
The Heat can create about $12MM in cap room, assuming James Johnson opts in to his $16MM salary and free agent Goran Dragic is let go. If Olynyk opts out, that number will exceed $25MM, putting Miami in a much better position to add a top name in free agency. After this year’s spending spree, Winderman estimates only about six teams will have that much to spend.
He adds that the Heat may consider dealing Olynyk during the season so they don’t have to wait for his decision. They could also try to negotiate a long-term contract next summer that replaces the option year, but that would effectively take them out of the next free agency bonanza in 2021 when include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bradley Beal, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Blake Griffin, Jrue Holiday and Victor Oladipo will all be on the market.
There’s more this morning from Miami:
- Johnson’s message for those who have lost faith in him and Dion Waiters after down seasons is “doubt at your own risk,” according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Johnson was slowed by a sports hernia, while Waiters was recovering from ankle surgery. “Dion is adamant about his and I’m more silent,” Johnson said. “We’ve been grinding and we’ve been working together on and off. I feel like he’s ready. He looks the best that I’ve seen since he’s been a Miami Heat. And I’m healthy.”
- Bam Adebayo attended last night’s BIG3 games in Miami, but refused to comment on his release from Team USA, Winderman tweets. A late invite to training camp, Adebayo was among the first round of cuts announced Friday. Adebayo was an awkward fit with this year’s team because he serves as a complementary player and there aren’t many stars to complement, Winderman adds in a full story. His limited offense stands out when the American team will rely on scoring from all five positions.
- Veteran forward Reggie Evans, who now plays for the BIG3’s Three-Headed Monsters, was in a more talkative mood Saturday, but not about the NBA, Winderman relays in another piece. Evans reacted angrily any time former members of the Heat were asked about playing in Miami or the NBA in general. However, Mario Chalmers, who is holding out hopes of an NBA comeback, said coming to Miami with the league is “just like playing at home for me.”
Really, who is going to want Olynyk?
A lot of contenders looking for a stretch big. At a reasonable salary
Heat should try trade Leonard and a second round pick or two for Jae Crowder. The salaries work in a trade but will save the heat about 4 mil. Then secondly identify and get your second star to help Butler, either CP3, Wall, Gordan or Gallinari. Beal is out of your range. Then after that I’d look for cheap talent from trades and free agents. Fultz stands out as someone who could really improve. He hasn’t been given a huge chance by the 6ers or magic and playing under someone like CP3 and along side Herro could be a good thing for him.
Personally I think a three way trade with the Thunder makes the most sense. CP3 can still ball really well and he’s a good enough leader to let Butler run the show and play second fiddle. Then you make a Fultz trade to get younger and hope that him working with CP3 Butler and Herro he can grow and improve. You also bring in Melo and give him a shot. He should get on well with CP3 Butler JJohnson and those kinda vets.
Mavs: Dragic
Thunder: Hardaway, Winslow + 2nd Round
Heat: CP3 + 1st Round
Heat: Fultz
Magic: Waiters
1. CP3. Fultz
2. Butler. Herro. Nunn
3. Crowder. Jones Jr. Okpala
4. Olynyk. JJohnson. Melo
5. Adebayor . AJohnson
Now that’s a team in the East that will be in the Playoffs and could potentially upset a team in the first round because of its versatility and experience. This team against say the Celtics matches up really well. Kemba vs CP3, Brown and Smart vs Butler, Tatum vs Crowder, Haywood vs Olynyk and Kanter vs Adebayo. The coaches also match up well and I think Heat have them for depth and definitely have experience. Plus after the season they got their first round pick back from the thunder giving them a draft pick 12-20 to recruit a sneaky good player. Then all of a sudden you have Fultz Herro Jones Jr Okpala and Adebayo plus 1 young prospect.
James Johnson is going to make $16M?!