3-pointer king Ellington must do salary math

MIAMI — All the perspective needed regarding Wayne Ellington and the significance of his impending free agency is this: The Miami Heat finished the season 10th in the NBA in 3-pointers made; deduct Ellington’s franchiserecord 227 and they would have placed 27th.

For a team that set a franchise record with 3-pointers accounting for 31.9 percent of their scoring, the value of playing from distance in Erik Spoelstra’s approach cannot be overstated.

But neither can a Heat position so hard against the NBA’s punitive luxury tax that it could force Ellington out of the mix going forward.

“Of course I want to be back,” the nine-year veteran said. “I also know how the luxury tax works. I do. I do.”

The math is relatively simple. It’s the salary-cap machinations that get in the way.

At the moment, the Heat are committed to roughly $120 million in payroll for 2018-19.

The NBA luxury tax line is expected to be set at about $123 million.

Teams not only pay at least a dollar-for-dollar penalty for exceeding the tax, but going into the tax also can be limiting when it comes to certain trade mechanisms and salarycap exceptions.

Ellington, based on his pay this past season and impending early-bird status, is eligible for a new contract from the Heat starting at up to $11 million.

For all that has worked for the Heat with Ellington regarding his efficiency in scoring from distance while in motion, it is the money that ultimately might not make sense.

“Obviously, being human, it’s come across my mind,” Ellington said of this two-year revival with the Heat potentially turning into only another career pit stop. “But it’s never been the focus. It hasn’t registered.”

With the Heat — or any other team — not allowed to negotiate with Ellington until the July 1 start of free agency, there is time for the Heat to either thin their payroll or for Ellington to consider returning for more years at potentially less annual money.

Ellington, 30, never earned more than the $6.3 million of this past season. Before joining the Heat at $6 million for 2016-17, he had never earned more than the $2.7 million he earned with the Dallas Mavericks in 2013-14.

Based on the productivity this past season, Ellington could potentially attract an outside offer at the anticipated 2018-19 mid-level exception of $8.6 million and certainly at least the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.3 million.

Ultimately, that will require weighing money against lifestyle, playing time and fellowship.

“All these guys here are my brothers,” he said after the Heat’s season came to a close with their 4-1 firstround NBA playoff ouster against the Philadelphia 76ers. “We enjoy each other, not just basketball but off the floor, being with each other.

“We came a long way from starting this thing [at the start of 2016-17] to making a playoff run. So I’m just thankful to be able to be a part of a group of guys like this. It’s rare in this league you get a group of good guys that have that type of bond. I’m grateful for them guys and the coaching in this organization. It’s been a heck of a year. It’s been really fun.”

The result has been the two best seasons of the former North Carolina Tar Heel’s career and the first opportunity as a playoff rotation player.

For that, there is an appreciation, no matter what follows.

DAVID SANTIAGO/MIAMI HERALD “Of course I want to be back,” Wayne Ellington says. “I also know how the luxury tax works. I do. I do.”