Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
GO BIG OR GO HOME?
Ability to make a deadline deal is all in the complex, limiting details
LOS ANGELES — From the moment the Miami Heat went all-in for Jimmy Butler at the start of last summer’s NBA free agency, the procurement game became far more complex for the Miami Heat.
That makes Thursday’s NBA trading deadline not only a personnel challenge but also an accounting exercise, if the Heat, at a robust 34-15, are even so inclined.
Working under a hard cap and with almost no remaining draft collateral, virtually any Heat move will have to be one pieced together through an intricate web.
A year ago, the Heat similarly left for an extended western swing the week of the deadline, just as they did Tuesday in advance of Wednesday night’s nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.
As was the case last year, the second stop of the trip comes in Sacramento on the day after the deadline. Last year, it meant the Heat taking flight for that game against the Kings without Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington, dealt a day earlier at the deadline
to the Phoenix Suns.
“Yeah, it is kind of the same,” forward James Johnson said. “I didn’t think of it that way, but I do remember.
“But until something happens, you tune it out; I’ve been through too much to pay too much attention.”
For the Heat, the ability to make a deal is all in the details.
Complex details. Limiting details.
Salary cap:
Because the Heat became hard-capped with the sign-and-trade agreement to acquire Butler, they essentially have forfeited any remaining wiggle room under the salary cap.
At the moment, the Heat cannot take back more than $12,330 in salary in any trade than the amount they send out. That essentially is less than a single game’s pay for a player.
Roster space:
The Heat, with the recent conversion of Chris Silva’s two-way contract to a standard deal, are at the NBA maximum of 15 players on their roster (plus the allowable two two-way players, in Gabe Vincent and Kyle Alexander).
So in any deal, the Heat likely would have to swap out a player for each player acquired (since the hard cap makes it difficult to simply waive a player to open a roster spot).
First-round picks:
Because of the 2021 first-round pick sent out to the Phoenix Suns in the 2015 Goran Dragic trade, and the 2023 first-round pick sent to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of last summer’s machinations to acquire Butler, the Heat are not allowed to trade their 2020 first-round pick or any future firstround pick.
Under NBA rules, teams are not allowed to be without first-round picks in consecutive future seasons. So with the 2021 pick dealt, it means the Heat cannot trade’s June’s first-round pick at this year’s trade deadline. And with the 2023 pick dealt, it means the Heat cannot trade their 2022 first-round pick, nor their 2024 first-round pick.
Also, because there are draft protections in the dealt 2023 pick, restrictions that run through 2026, the Heat’s door on dealing firstround picks currently is closed, with teams not allowed to trade picks further than seven drafts out.
The Heat could trade a future first-round pick by first acquiring a first-round pick.
Second-round picks:
The cupboard effectively is bare.
The Heat’ 2020 and ‘21 second-round picks belong to the Sacramento Kings.
The Heat’s 2022 secondrounder is held by the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat’s 2023 secondrounder will go to either the Dallas Mavericks or Memphis Grizzlies.
The Heat’s 2024 secondround pick will go to the Atlanta Hawks or Philadelphia 76ers.
The Heat’s 2025 and ‘26 second-rounders go to the Pacers.
The three picks to the Pacers are part of the acquisition of second-round pick KZ Okpala at last June’s
NBA draft.
The only second-round capital the Heat hold is a widely traveled 2024 second-round pick that is available as a conditional selection Nos. 31-50.
Trade restrictions:
The Heat cannot trade Silva, based on the timing of the conversion of his two-way contract to a standard deal. They cannot trade Udonis Haslem without his permission. Kelly Olynyk has a $2 million trade bonus, with Butler holding a 15 percent trade kicker.
Trade exception:
While the Heat hold a $6.3 million trade exception that expires Thursday (resulting from the Wayne Ellington trade at last year’s deadline), the Heat cannot put that into play because of where they stand against the hard cap.