After taking steps to maximize roster flexibility over the past 18 months, the Heat will likely need it as they try to rebuild in the wake of a first-round sweep, writes Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider account). Jimmy Butler ($36MM), Bam Adebayo ($28.1MM), Tyler Herro ($4MM), Precious Achiuwa ($2.7MM), and KZ Okpala ($1.8MM) are the only players with guaranteed contracts for next season, but Miami can choose to operate above or below the cap depending on its other roster decisions.
The Heat have been prioritizing cap space for this summer, originally hoping to take advantage of a stellar free agent class that included Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and LeBron James. That route has lost some luster with those players all agreeing to extensions, but Miami’s cap room will still be an asset.
The team could have about $21MM available, Marks notes, or $27MM if it doesn’t make qualifying offers to Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, which would cut their cap holds from $4.7MM to $1.7MM each. However, Marks adds that the Heat would only consider that route if they’re assured that both players will re-sign after their cap space is exhausted. Miami would also have to decline team options on Andre Iguodala and Goran Dragic by the Aug. 1 deadline and renounce its rights to Trevor Ariza and Victor Oladipo.
The other choice is operating over the cap, which means keeping or trading some of the veterans, but it also risks cutting into potential cap space for 2022/23.
There’s more from Miami:
- The Heat are coming up on an important decision regarding Butler, who will be eligible for a four-year extension worth $181MM, Marks adds in the same story. Butler was outstanding during the regular season, but wasn’t as effective in the playoffs, and Miami will have to determine whether he’s worth that investment with his 32nd birthday coming up in September.
- There may not be a realistic Plan B for team president Pat Riley now that Antetokounmpo has committed to Milwaukee, contends Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. The two-time MVP dismantled Miami in the playoffs and showed why he would have been such a great addition. Winderman suggests the alternative is to hope Kawhi Leonard becomes available if the Clippers lose in the first round or to possibly make another run at Kyle Lowry.
- Butler said after today’s game that he will consider playing in the Olympics, but isn’t close to making a decision, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Butler won a gold medal at the 2016 Games.
Heat will continue to talk about Kawhi next 4 months
Heat are doomed unless they sign free agent Kawhi in offseason
Heat won’t be top 8 team in the nba next 3 years without signing a free agent superstar
Maybe they can re-sign Oladipo, he was supposed to be their savior.
They need Haslem to step it up next year
All he did was score 4 points the entire season after scoring just 12 points two seasons ago. Could be time for them to move on from Udonis.
There are probably better options out there for 4th string centers under 40.
Yes Wallywood. It was humor.
Too many options… things should have chrystalized more by their target year.
They’re a mess.
Best course of action is to let Dragic, Ariza and Iggy walk, resign Duncan Robinson, bring in Lowry and resign Oladipo to a team friendly deal. Also desperately need a PF, such as Portis from Milwaukee… They could try to swing a deal for a star with Herro and Achiuwa as the centerpieces too. Could theoretically use Iggy or Dragic as sign and trade pieces.
The way I see it, not many options are out there unless they can swing a trade.
Derozen would make sense more than Oladipo. VO is too injury prone and he’s not even 30 yet! Cameron Payne can be a good option for them.
Actually no… DeRozan, Butler and Bam would make 3 players that can’t space the floor.
Well there aren’t alot of options in terms of allstar caliber wing players in free agency. The heat don’t exactly have assets.
Miami is fully aware that to succeed the team needs to add complimentary players to get the most from their BUTLER.
For next season the team will clear the entire roster EXCEPT for BUTLER and add the following:
MAID
CHAUFFEUR
GARDENER
MECHANIC
VALET
LANDSCAPER
FOOTMAN
GOVERNESS
AU PAIR
HOUSE BOY
HANDY MAN
LACKEY
CLEANER
BEDDER
Why would they need to rebuild? Rebuilding is what the magic must do, it’s what OKC is doing. It’s what the kings are stuck doing. The heat are a third star away from contention. The only name that makes sense is Derozen. Yes Kawhi does too but we know he isn’t loyal and prefers to lose in L.A than to win in an ideal situation. I’d also say replace Dragic with a Cameron Payne or Patty Mills. I’d trade Herro also.
Lol..cam payne is trash.
Really?? He’s improved since the bubble and this season. Take that hate out your eyes.
We good. It’s a lot of superstars going to be free agency after next yr. so we good
Cough Cough