Miami says, ‘Thanks, Josh,’ makesMcRoberts deal official
MIAMI — It ended with a brief announcement and a Twitter photo of appreciation. The Josh McRoberts era formally is over for the Miami Heat.
Finishing off the Thursday machination to shed McRoberts’ $6 million 2017-18 salary on the final year of the four-year, $23 million freeagent contract he signed in the 2014 offseason, the Heat posted a photo of McRoberts dribbling in his Heat No. 4 uniform with the words, “Thanks, Josh.”
In the trade, the Heat sent out a 2023 second-round draft pick and part of the $5.1 million cash allotment teams are allowed spend in trades over the July-to-June NBA fiscal calendar. The Heat do not hold a second-round pick until 2022.
Because teams must take something back in deals, the Heat acquiredMavericks 2016 second-round pick A.J. Hammons, the former Purdue center.
Injuries prevented McRoberts from ever gaining traction with the Heat, appearing in only 81 games over his three seasons with the team, after appearing in 78 with Charlotte the season prior to his signing.
Prior to another injuryplagued season, McRoberts said during last seasons’ training camp of fan frustration over the lack of a payoff, “I completely get it, man. I’m a big white guywhogets hurt all the time. I wouldn’t like me either. So I completely understand where it comes from. I get it.”
Teammates, however, continually expressed appreciation for McRoberts’ passing and playmaking when he was able to get to the court.
There was no statement from Heat President Pat Riley in the announcement of the trade.
Hammons was selected in the second round, No. 46overall, out of Purdue by Dallas in the 2016 draft. He appeared in 22 games last season with the Mavericks, averaging 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in an