Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Heat embrace new reality
In wake of dealing Ellington, Johnson perimeter minutes crunch alleviated
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Addition by subtraction has become the new math for the Miami Heat — with an emotional twist added to the process.
While Wednesday’s trade of Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington to the Phoenix Suns eased the Heat’s position against the punitive NBA luxury tax, it also alleviated some of the minutes crunch in the team’s perimeter rotation.
The immediate upshot of the deal for seldom-used forward Ryan Anderson is the opportunity for additional playing time for Dion Waiters as well as increased playing time for the remaining members of the team’s wing rotation.
Against that backdrop, the Heat practiced Thursday night at Golden1 Center for the first time since Wednesday’s trade, now in need of a replacement starter for Johnson, who two weeks ago had been shifted into the opening lineup.
“I think we were already developing good role clarification, even when everybody was available,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat inactive Thursday at the NBA trading deadline. “It didn’t mean there weren’t tough decisions, but I’m sure this will simplify things, definitely on this road trip.”
With Anderson added to balance the trade financially, with a contract that will ease next season’s salary cap if released by July 10, the Heat, amid the current injury absences of Goran Dragic and Derrick Jones Jr., now can get down to a nine-player rotation featuring Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo, James Johnson, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Dwyane Wade, Rodney McGruder and Waiters.
Spoelstra was noncommittal when asked if the trade could lead to a Waiters return to the starting lineup as soon as Friday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, the second stop on this five-game trip.
“No, not immediately,” he said. “Goran is still working his way back. I don’t necessarily want to make two changes. But I’ve always been open to changing my mind, as well.”
As for McGruder, Spoelstra offered an intriguing response when asked about a possible return to the rotation.
“He’s going to be in the rotation and he could start,” Spoelstra said.
Anderson, who joined the Heat for Thursday’s practice, embraced his new possibilities after getting caught in the Suns’ youth movement.
“This is a top-notch organization. Obviously, I’ve known about it. But just to experience it in just day one is pretty special,” he said. “To go from an organization that’s rebuilding and trying to figure things out to an established organization, great players and real direction and really playing for something this year, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of this.”
Spoelstra, however, cautioned about immediate expectations.
“I told him we’ll work on his conditioning program and to really spend some time dedicating himself to that,” he said.
Beyond finances and rotation adjustments, there also is the personal side of the equation, with Johnson having developed as an undrafted prospect with the team and Ellington emerging last season as a valuable 3-point contributor before falling out of the rotation this season.
“There is a lot duality and complexity in this league, and you’re seeing it with us in the last 24 hours,” Spoelstra said on the Kings’ practice court. “The most important thing about when you make transactions like this, it’s OK to feel sadness for guys that are going out.
“I absolutely love Wayne Ellington and Tyler Johnson. That’s not going to change. We’ve created a bond that’s going to transcend this.”
Teammates accepted the realignment as part of the business.
“On the team aspect, it coming to an end it hurt,” he said.
The trade with the Suns reduced the Heat roster to 13 (not counting Duncan Robinson and Yante Maten on two-way contracts). By rule, NBA teams cannot go more than two weeks with a roster of fewer than 14 players under standard NBA contracts.
The market for roster replenishment figures to be robust, with many players dealt at the deadline already in the process of being waived. Among those are former Heat forward Michael Beasley, who was dealt Thursday by the Lakers to the Clippers, who plan to waive him.