Heat roster breakdown heading into offseason
The NBA calendar moves fast. Just ask the Heat.
The Heat was playing in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets just a week ago. But after falling three wins short of an NBA championship, the attention has already turned to what’s next for the Heat.
The NBA Draft is Thursday, contract options have to be decided on by June 29 and free agency opens June 30. And the trade noise surrounding the Heat has already begun.
So, what’s next for the Heat? Here’s where things stand with the 17 players who ended the season on the roster.
center
Age: Turns 26 on July 18.
Contract status: Due $32.6 million next season in the third year of a five-year, $163 million max contract extension he signed in the 2020 offseason. He’s eligible for another extension this offseason, with the Heat able to offer an additional two years worth up to $97 million.
What comes next: Adebayo has established himself as one of the NBA’s top defenders. But while much improved behind a reliable in-the-paint midrange jumper, he’s not a finished product on the offensive end. The next step in Adebayo’s evolution could be incorporating the three-point shot or more post moves into his offensive repertoire. One thing seems clear, though, the Heat views Adebayo as a foundational piece who is an important part of the organization’s long-term plan as one of the NBA’s top young stars and two-way big men.
wing
Age: Turns 34 on Sept. 14.
Contract status: Due $45.2 million next season in the first year of a three-year, $146.4 million extension that keeps him under contract with the Heat through the 2025-26 season. The third and final season of the extension is a player option worth $52.4 million.
What comes next: By leading the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances in his four seasons with the organization, Butler has proven he’s one of the few players in the league who’s special enough to be the best player on a championshiplevel team. But with Butler turning 34 in a few months, when will the drop-off come? Can he continue to play at this high level next season? The Heat’s goal this offseason has to be to continue to improve the roster around Butler to take advantage of this championship window before it closes.
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Age: Turns 25 on March 20.
Contract status: Since Cain finished the season on a two-way deal, the Heat has to decide whether to make a qualifying offer this offseason to make him a restricted free agent and gain the right to match offers from other teams. The qualifying offer could turn into another two-way contract unless Miami is forced to match standard contract offers Cain receives as a restricted free agent or simply wants to make Cain a part of its 15-man roster.
What comes next: Cain is expected to be part of the Heat’s summer league team for the second straight year. This will give the Heat another opportunity to evaluate Cain’s growth and determine whether it wants to keep him around on a two-way contract or even promote him to a standard deal. The expectation, though, is the Heat will at least extend a qualifying offer to Cain before the June 29 deadline.
forward
Age: Turns 44 on June 9.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he has already announced his retirement after 20 NBA seasons.
What comes next: Haslem’s playing career is over. He established himself as a franchise icon, spending each of his 20 NBA seasons with the Heat in his hometown of Miami. Now, Haslem wants to take on a different role with the Heat. Haslem has made it clear on multiple occasions that he has no interest in coaching, but he hopes to become part of the Heat ownership group led by the father-son duo of managing general partner Micky Arison and chief executive officer Nick Arison. Whatever the role is, Haslem is expected to remain a part of the organization even though he’s done playing.
guard
Age: Turns 24 on Jan. 20.
Contract status: Due $27 million next season in the first year of a four-year, $120 million extension he signed last year. The contract is worth up to $130 million when including incentives.
What comes next: Herro stepped into a starting role and was the Heat’s thirdbest player this season, but his year was cut short when he broke his right hand in the opening game of Miami’s playoff run. Herro’s name has been involved in trade speculation for most of his young NBA career. Unfortunately for Herro, that will continue this offseason. As a talented young scorer with All-Star potential, Herro is one of the Heat’s most attractive trade chips when considering that Adebayo and Butler are believed to be off the table in negotiations.
forward
Age: Turns 27 on Dec. 9.
Contract status: Due $1.9 million next season in the final season of his contract, but his full $1.9 million salary for next season is nonguaranteed. The full salary becomes guaranteed on July 15 if Highsmith is still on the Heat’s roster.
What comes next: The expectation is the Heat will guarantee Highsmith’s 2023-24 salary at such a low-end number for a player who has the potential to break into the rotation. While not getting consistent playing time, Highsmith flashed his intriguing three-and-D skills when he did get an opportunity to get on the court this season. Highsmith even made an impact in the playoffs, especially on the defensive end with his 7-foot wingspan, when called upon. That should be enough for the Heat to bring back Highsmith at such a reasonable salary.
forward
Age: Turns 21 on June 9.
Contract status: Due $2.4 million next season in the second year of his rookiescale contract. The Heat has until Oct. 31 to exercise the $2.5 million team option in Jovic’s contract for the 2024-25 season.
What comes next: Jovic didn’t get much playing time as a rookie, and he spent a large chunk of the year recovering from a back injury. But Jovic still found a way make it a productive rookie campaign by putting on weight and working behind the scenes to develop his intriguing game as a skilled 6-10 big. The Heat can keep Jovic in its developmental program for a second season or use him as part of a trade package to add a player who better fits Miami’s win-now mindset. If Jovic stays with the Heat, he’s expected to take part in summer league.
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Age: Turns 35 on Sept. 7.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat does not hold Love’s Bird rights, which limits the resources it has to resign him.
What comes next: After joining the Heat during the mid-February All-Star break following a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Love made an immediate impact with his three-point shooting, rebounding and charge-drawing ability while being used primarily in a starting role. Love also quickly emerged as one of the Heat’s leaders. While
Love’s best days are behind him after 15 NBA seasons, there’s certainly a place for him on the Heat’s roster at the right price point. The Heat can’t offer much to Love anyway, as it can only re-sign him to a contract up to $3.8 million for next season since Miami doesn’t hold his Bird rights.
guard
Age: Turns 38 on March 25.
Contract status: Due $29.7 million next season in the final year of a three-year,
$85 million contract he signed with the Heat in the 2021 offseason. Lowry, who is eligible for an extension this offseason, is on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
What comes next: Lowry battled a lingering knee issue this season, beginning the year as a starter and ending it as a key reserve. Lowry made an impact off the bench this postseason, but the problem is he’s on a salary that belongs to a starter who plays 30-plus minutes per game.
With Lowry now on an expiring contract, it could be easier for the Heat to offload his salary this offseason. Lowry’s large salary could even help facilitate a trade for a star this summer. There’s also the waive-and-stretch possibility, but that would spread his $29.7 million salary over the next three seasons. Or the Heat could just keep Lowry and see how the season unfolds.
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Age: Turns 28 on Sept. 28.
Contract status: Due $6.8 million next season in the second year of a three-year, $20.4 million contract he signed with the Heat last offseason. The third and final season of the extension is a player option worth $7.1 million.
What comes next: Considering Martin’s all-around talent and his $6.8 million salary for next season, he’s on one of the league’s best value contracts. Martin made an impact as a starter early this season and then thrived in a reserve role during the second half of the schedule and playoffs. The bottom line is he has established himself as a key component for the Heat. Miami definitely isn’t looking to trade Martin, but the question is whether he’ll need to be included in a trade package to get a potential deal for a star done as one of the Heat’s most attractive trade chips.
guard
Age: Turns 32 on May 4.
Contract status: Holds a $9.5 million player option in his contract for next season. Oladipo has until June 29 to opt in to his contract.
What comes next: With Oladipo not in position to enter free agency this summer after tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee in the first round of the playoffs, he’s expected to opt in to his $9.5 million salary with the Heat for next season. Oladipo won’t be ready for the start of the season, but the hope is he’ll return to game action as soon as early in 2024. He’s recovering from his third major knee surgery in just over four years.
forward
Age: Turns 30 on April 22.
Contract status: Due $18.2 million next season in the third year of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed with the Heat in the 2021 offseason.
What comes next: With Robinson stepping into a bigger role and impressing during the Heat’s playoff run to the NBA Finals, he arrives to the offseason in an interesting spot. Considering the fact that he’s entering the back half of his contract that only includes $9.9 million guaranteed in the fifth and final season, does Robinson’s recently improved trade value make him a prime candidate to be dealt this summer in order for the Heat to shed salary? Or did Robinson show enough this postseason as one of the NBA’s top three-point shooters for the Heat to keep him around?
center
Age: Turns 23 on July 10.
Contract status: Since Robinson finished the season on a two-way deal, the Heat has to decide whether to make a qualifying offer this offseason to make him a restricted free agent and gain the right to match offers from other teams. The qualifying offer could turn into another two-way contract unless Miami is forced to match standard contract offers Robinson receives as a restricted free agent or simply wants to make Robinson a part of its 15-man roster.
What comes next: Like Cain, Robinson is expected to be part of the Heat’s summer league team for the second straight year. Another offseason in the Heat’s developmental program will be good for Robinson. But the Heat needs to decide whether it wants to keep Robinson around on a two-way deal or promote him to a standard contract. With Miami’s backup center role far from settled, there could be a need to keep Robinson around. The expectation is the Heat will at least extend a qualifying offer to Robinson before the June 29 deadline.
wing
Age: Turns 28 on March 28.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Strus’ Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What comes next: After playing as a starter during the Heat’s playoff run to the NBA Finals, Strus is set for a big pay raise this summer from the minimum salary he was previously on. But will the Heat be the team to give Strus that raise? Despite not having cap space, the Heat is still permitted to offer Strus up to his maximum salary because it holds his Bird rights. But paying Strus $10-12 million for next season would only make the Heat’s luxury tax bill even more expensive. There’s mutual interest between Strus and the Heat, but the money and how the rest of the offseason unfolds for Miami will likely be the deciding factors on whether he returns.
guard
Age: Turns 28 on June 14.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Vincent’s Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What comes next: Vincent is in the same position as Strus, up for a significant pay raise after playing as a starter during the Heat’s playoff run. Vincent was on a minimum salary for the past two seasons. With Vincent’s Bird rights, the Heat can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary despite not having cap space. But signing Vincent to a contract with a starting salary in the $12 million range would add to Miami’s already expensive luxury tax bill. There’s mutual interest between Vincent and the Heat, but Miami will need to decide how far its willing to go to keep him.
center
Age: Turns 25 on June 19.
Contract status: Will become a restricted free agent this offseason, as long as the Heat extends a $2.3 million qualifying offer to Yurtseven by the June 29 deadline. The Heat has Yurtseven’s Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary. What to expect: Extending a qualifying offer to Yurtseven makes sense, since it allows the Heat to make Yurtseven a restricted free agent and match outside offers to retain him. Despite this season ending up as a bit of a lost season for Yurtseven after ankle surgery, he’s still an intriguing option because of his size, scoring ability and above average rebounding skills at a position the Heat doesn’t have much depth at. But if Yurtseven gets a large offer from another team, it could be tough for the Heat to keep him.
center
Age: Turns 31 on Oct. 5.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat does not hold Zeller’s Bird rights, which limits the resources it has to resign him.
What comes next: There’s a possibility that Zeller returns, likely on a minimum contract, as the Heat doesn’t yet have a backup center under contract for next season. But that may depend on how the Heat handles the impending free agency of Omer Yurtseven and Orlando Robinson.