What’s in store for Miami Heat? Here’s a player-by-player breakdown entering 2021 offseason
The Miami Heat is entering an uncertain offseason with many different paths it can take to complete its roster.
The Heat’s current look features just five players with guaranteed salaries for next season: Jimmy Butler ($36 million), Bam Adebayo ($28.1 million), Tyler Herro ($4 million), Precious Achiuwa ($2.7 million) and KZ Okpala ($1.8 million).
Next season’s salary cap and luxury tax line have not been set, but projections indicate the salary cap will be about $112.4 million and the luxury-tax threshold will be about $136.6 million.
That means the Heat could have between $21 million and $27 million in cap space this summer, including cap holds, unless it opts to operate as an over-the-cap team and leverage the Bird rights of its own free agents to bring back most of this past season’s roster.
If Miami chooses to create cap space this offseason, it would have about $21 million in space if it extends $4.7 million qualifying offers to both Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn to make them restricted free agents and about $27 million in space if it instead chooses to pull those qualifying offers to allow both to become unrestricted free agents and decrease their cap holds to $1.7 million. These calculations include a $5.2 million waive-and-stretch cap hit for Ryan Anderson that’s still on the books.
The list of players on the Heat’s season-ending roster who will become free agents this offseason includes Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, Nemanja Bjelica, Nunn, Robinson, Udonis Haslem, Dewayne Dedmon, and two-way contract players Max Strus and Gabe Vincent.
Free agency is scheduled to begin this summer in early August.
Here’s what the Heat has to work with this offseason, with a player-by-player breakdown …
PRECIOUS ACHIUWA, center
Age: Turns 22 on Sept. 19.
Season stats: Averaged five points on 54.4 percent shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 61 regular-season games (four starts) as a rookie. Achiuwa played a total of just 12 minutes in the playoffs.
Contract status: Due $2.7 million next season in the second year of his rookie-scale contract that runs through the 2023-24 season. The deal includes a $2.8 million team option in 2022-23 and a $4.4 million team option in 2023-24.
What to know: Achiuwa spent the first three months of his rookie season as the Heat’s backup center behind starter Bam Adebayo, but he fell out of the rotation after the team signed free agent center Dewayne Dedmon in early April. After a rushed rookie season that didn’t include much prep time, Achiuwa will benefit from a full offseason in the Heat’s player development program and possibly summer league program. Achiuwa’s offseason could also include the Olympics if he decides to play for the Nigerian national team. Achiuwa, who shot 1 of 12 from outside the paint this past season, said improving his jump shot is “going to be a big focus for me this summer.”
BAM ADEBAYO, center
Age: Turns 24 on July 18.
Season stats: Averaged career highs in points (18.7) on 57 percent shooting from the field and 79.9 percent shooting from the foul line, assists (5.4) and steals (1.2) to go with nine rebounds in 64 regular-season games (64 starts) in his fourth NBA season. In the playoffs, Adebayo averaged 15.5 points on 45.6 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in four games.
Contract status: Due $28.1 million next season in the first year of a five-year, $163 million max contract extension he signed last offseason. He played on a $5.1 million salary this past season.
What to know: Adebayo’s game continued to grow in his second full season as the Heat’s starting center, as he showed off an improved midrange jumper and free-throw stroke. After shooting 22.3 percent (21 of 94) on midrange attempts last season, he made 42.4 percent (72 of 170) of those shots this past regular season. Adebayo and Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo were the only two players in the NBA who averaged at least 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block this season. The next step in Adebayo’s evolution could be incorporating the three-point shot or more post moves into his offensive repertoire. Adebayo remains an important part of the Heat’s long-term plans as one of the NBA’s top young stars and two-way big men.
TREVOR ARIZA, forward
Age: Turns 36 on June 30.
Season stats: After Ariza was traded to the Heat in March, he averaged 9.4 points while shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 35 percent on threes, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal in 30 regular-season games (27 starts). He averaged 4.8 points, and shot 7 of 23 (30.4 percent) from the field and 5 of 17 (29.4 percent) from three-point range in a starting role in the playoffs.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Ariza’s early Bird rights, which allows Miami to exceed the salary cap to pay him 175 percent of his 2020-21 salary of $12.8 million.
What to know: When Ariza arrived to the Heat in March, he had not played in an NBA game in about a year. He opted out of playing in the NBA’s Walt Disney World bubble last season with the Portland Trail Blazers and was away from the Oklahoma City Thunder this season before he was dealt to Miami. Ariza almost immediately took over as the Heat’s starting small-ball power forward, a role Jae Crowder excelled in during last season’s playoff run. Ariza was impressive during stretches in the regular season, giving the Heat a reliable 3-and-D option in the frontcourt alongside Adebayo. But in the playoffs, Ariza (6-8, 215 pounds) ran into a shooting slump and left the Heat undersized against the Bucks’ frontcourt. As an experienced veteran who fits the small-ball four mold that coach Erik Spoelstra likes to play alongside Adebayo, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Heat re-signed Ariza. But a return is not guaranteed.
NEMANJA BJELICA, forward
Age: Turned 33 on May 9.
Season stats: After Bjelica was dealt to the Heat at the NBA trade deadline on March 25, he averaged five points while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 37 percent on threes, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 11 regular-season games (two starts). He averaged nine points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 4-of-8 shooting on threes in two appearances off the bench in the playoffs.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Bjelica’s Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What to know: As a stretch big, Bjelica was part of the Heat’s frontcourt rotation for a few weeks after the Sacramento Kings traded him to Miami in March. But he fell out of the rotation when the Heat signed free-agent center Dewayne Dedmon in early April, as Miami opted for Dedmon’s rebounding and rim protection over the shooting and playmaking of Bjelica. The hope was that Bjelica could fill the Kelly Olynyk role after Olynyk was traded, but Bjelica never got the consistent playing time in games needed to find his niche with the Heat. And it remains to be seen if Bjelica will ever play for Miami again because he’ll be a free agent this offseason.
JIMMY BUTLER, wing
Age: Turns 32 on Sept. 14.
Season stats: Averaged 21.5 points on a career-best 49.7 percent shooting and career highs in rebounds (6.9), assists (7.1) and steals (2.1) in 52 regular-season games (52 starts). In the playoffs, Butler averaged 14.5 points on 29.7 percent shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 1.3 steals in four games.
Contract status: Due $36 million next season in the third year of a four-year, $141 million max contract he signed in the summer of 2019. Butler is eligible to sign an extension with the Heat this offseason worth up to $181 million over four years, which would begin in 2022-23 and replace the $37.7 million player option in his current contract for 2022-23.
What to know: Butler was the Heat’s best player this season, as he turned in arguably the best regular season of his NBA career. He was one of just six players in the NBA this season who averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists — a list that also includes Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Brooklyn’s James Harden, Los Angeles’ LeBron James and Washington’s Russell Westbrook. Butler is expected to make an All-NBA team and will receive consideration for an All-Defensive team after finishing the season as the NBA’s steals leader. The Heat was a much better team whenever Butler was available, finishing the regular season with a 7-13 record in games that Butler missed and a 33-19 record when he played. Butler is under contract with the Heat for next season, but he’ll have an important conversation with the organization about their future together this offseason. The expectation is that Butler will seek a maximum four-year extension worth $181 million that would keep him with the Heat until he’s 36.
DEWAYNE DEDMON, center
Age: Turns 32 on Aug. 12.
Season stats: After Dedmon signed with the Heat as a late-season addition on April 8, he averaged 7.1 points on 70.8 percent shooting and 5.4 rebounds in 16 regular-season games (zero starts). He averaged 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in four playoff games.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat does not have Dedmon’s Bird rights since he was signed as a free agent, so Miami will need to use cap space or an exception to re-sign him.
What to know: Dedmon had been out of the NBA since he was waived by the Detroit Pistons in November, so his immediate contributions with the Heat after joining the team in April were not necessarily expected. But Dedmon took over as the Heat’s backup center shortly after he signed and provided much-needed quality minutes when starting center Bam Adebeyo went to the bench. Those minutes had been a negative before the addition of Dedmon, but the Heat outscored opponents by 17.1 points with Dedmon on the court as the backup center in the regular season. Dedmon’s energy, touch around the rim and offensive rebounding helped Miami down the stretch. But Adebayo and Dedmon played limited minutes together, as Spoelstra does not usually like to play two centers together who both score most of their points in the paint because of spacing concerns. Bringing back Dedmon as Adebayo’s backup makes sense for the Heat if the price is right, but what would that mean for Achiuwa entering his second NBA season?
GORAN DRAGIC, guard
Age: Turned 35 on May 6.
Season stats: Averaged 13.4 points while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent on threes, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 50 regular-season games (11 starts). In the playoffs, Dragic averaged a team-high 16 points while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 34.6 percent on threes, 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in four games.
Contract status: The Heat has until Aug. 1 to decide on a $19.4 million team option in Dragic’s contract for next season, as part of the two-year, $37 million deal he signed last offseason. If the Heat declines Dragic’s option for next season, he will become an unrestricted free agent but Miami will still retain his Bird rights and can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What to know: Dragic was one of the Heat’s key players who was in and out of the lineup for a chunk of games this past season mainly because of injuries. He missed 22 games — two because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, three because of a left groin strain, nine because of a sprained left ankle, four because of lower back spasms and another four on the second night of back-to-back sets. The result was an up-and-down season for Dragic, as he averaged the lowest amount of points and minutes (26.7) since he was traded to the Heat in February 2015. All of this comes after Dragic tore the plantar fascia in his left foot in the Finals last season and spent the entire abbreviated offseason recovering from the injury. Dragic, who just finished his 13th NBA season, has spent the past six-plus seasons in Miami. The Heat and Dragic want to continue their time together, but they might have to negotiate a new contract to make that happen if Miami doesn’t want to pick up Dragic’s $19 million team option for next season.
UDONIS HASLEM, forward
Age: Turns 41 on June 9.
Season stats: Played in one regular-season game and totaled four points, one rebound, a drawn charge and two technicals that led to an ejection after just three minutes of playing time in the Heat’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers on May 13. Haslem did not play in the postseason.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Haslem’s Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What to know: If Haslem wants to return, he’ll likely be back on a minimum contract again. But does he want to continue his playing career and come back for an 19th NBA season with the Heat? Haslem said he’s still undecided and will take time this offseason to make a decision. Haslem has served as a Heat captain in 14 consecutive seasons, the longest tenure in team history. If Haslem does return, it won’t be to play significant minutes. He has played in 29 games since the start of the 2017-18 season. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and players, especially Adebayo, have made it clear they want Haslem to return next season. The last time the Heat’s locker room did not include Haslem was in the 2002-03 season.
TYLER HERRO, guard
Age: Turns 22 on Jan. 20.
Season stats: Averaged 15.1 points while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36 percent on threes, five rebounds and 3.4 assists in 54 regular-season games (15 starts). In the playoffs, Herro averaged 9.3 points on 31.6 percent shooting from the field and 31.6 percent shooting on threes, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in four games.
Contract status: Due $4 million next season in the third year of his rookie-scale contract that runs through the 2022-23 season. The deal includes a $5.7 million team option in 2022-23.
What to know: Expectations were high for Herro after his impressive playoff run in the bubble last season. But it was an up-and-down sophomore NBA season for the guard, who moved to a bench role after starting in his first 14 appearances. He was then forced to miss seven games in January with neck spasms, sat out a Feb. 11 win against the Houston Rockets because of a false positive COVID-19 test, was unavailable for three games in late February with a right hip contusion, and missed seven games in the final weeks of the regular season because of right foot soreness. The Heat’s plan was to promote Herro into a starting role this season, but he again spent most of the season playing off the bench. Miami’s hope is that Herro will benefit from a full NBA offseason and come back an improved player next season.
ANDRE IGUODALA, forward
Age: Turns 38 on Jan. 28.
Season stats: Averaged 4.4 points while shooting 38.3 percent from the field and 33 percent on threes, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 63 regular-season games (five starts). In the playoffs, Iguodala averaged 3.8 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field and 3-of-7 shooting on threes, three rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal in four games.
Contract status: The Heat has until Aug. 1 to decide on a $15 million team option in Iguodala’s contract for next season, as part of the two-year, $30 million deal he signed upon his trade to the Heat in February 2020. If the Heat declines Iguodala’s option for next season, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent but Miami will still retain his Bird rights and can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What to know: Iguodala has been a consistent member of the bench rotation since he was traded to the Heat in the middle of the 2019-20 season. Iguodala’s numbers haven’t been gaudy, but Spoelstra has praised his two-way on-court impact and his leadership skills as an experienced veteran who has won multiple NBA championships. The question is: Does Iguodala want to continue his playing career and return for an 18th NBA season? There has been no definitive answer. With a team option in Iguodala’s contract for next season, there are also questions about his future with the Heat. If Iguodala does continue his playing career, it could come with another team if Miami declines that option.
KENDRICK NUNN, guard
Age: Turns 26 on Aug. 3.
Season stats: Averaged 14.6 points while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent on threes, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 56 regular-season games (44 starts). In the playoffs, Nunn averaged 10.3 points on 39.5 percent shooting from the field and 5-of-18 shooting on threes, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in four games.
Contract status: The Heat has until Aug. 1 to extend Nunn a $4.7 million qualifying offer, which would make him a restricted free agent and Miami will have the right to match any outside offer sheet. The Heat could pull that qualifying offer to decrease Nunn’s cap hold from $4.7 million to $1.7 million, but Nunn would then become an unrestricted free agent and Miami would not be able to match any outside offers to retain him.
What to know: Nunn, who was signed by the Heat on the final day of the 2018-19 regular season, has turned into another one of the organization’s undrafted success stories. The combo guard started 67 games, and finished second in the voting for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year honor and was named to the All-Rookie first team last season. Nunn did not begin this past season as a starter, but he worked his way back into a starting role as the year went on. He closed the regular season and entered the playoffs as a starter. Nunn became a more efficient offensive player this season and he has proven to be a consistent scorer at the NBA level, but he’s still improving as a facilitator and perimeter defender. Nunn is due for a sizable raise this offseason, and the Heat will have the right to match outside offers if it extends a qualifying offer to him, as expected. How far will Miami go to keep him? That remains to be seen and it will likely depend on the market for Nunn.
KZ OKPALA, forward
Age: Turned 22 on April 28.
Season stats: Averaged 2.5 points while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 24 percent on threes, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 37 regular-season games (nine starts). In the playoffs, Okpala logged just six minutes.
Contract status: Due $1.8 million next season in the final year of a three-year, $4.2 million minimum salary contract he signed before his rookie season in the 2019 offseason.
What to know: Through the first two seasons of Okpala’s NBA career, he has averaged 2.4 points on 38.6 percent shooting, 1.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 42 regular-season games. This stretch has been one of development for Okpala, who has played more minutes in the G League (572) than in the NBA (473) during his professional career. This is probably not exactly what the Heat expected when it traded three second-round picks to acquire Okpala on draft night in 2019, but he has also yet to play in a summer league game because of different circumstances. The hope is that Okpala will be part of the Heat’s summer league team this season, and there’s still the belief that he has the potential to be a quality rotation player. Why? Because of his defensive versatility and ability to play with the ball in his hands and create for himself and others off the dribble on the offensive end. This is an important offseason for Okpala.
VICTOR OLADIPO, guard
Age: Turned 29 on May 4.
Season stats: After Oladipo was dealt to the Heat at the NBA trade deadline on March 25, he averaged 12 points while shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 23.5 percent on threes, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in four regular-season games (four starts) before being sidelined after re-injuring his troublesome right knee and eventually undergoing surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in his right knee in May. He did not play in the playoffs because of the injury.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Heat has Oladipo’s Bird rights, so it can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him up to his maximum salary.
What to know: After starting the season with the Indiana Pacers and then being traded to the Houston Rockets, Oladipo was moved to the Heat in late March. But Oladipo only played in four games with the Heat before feeling pain in his right knee. Oladipo underwent surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in that knee on May 13 after rupturing that same tendon in his right knee in January 2019. The first surgery kept Oladipo out for a full year, but there’s hope that Oladipo could be cleared to return to full contact basketball as early as November and be able to play next season by February. Oladipo has long had interest in playing for the Heat and spends a lot of time in Miami, and he seemed to fit on the court alongside Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler in his limited time with the team. But the Heat probably won’t want to commit more than one year of guaranteed money to Oladipo because of the uncertainty surrounding his knee and availability entering next season. And the offer likely won’t be anywhere close to the $21 million Oladipo made this past season.
DUNCAN ROBINSON, forward
Age: Turned 27 on April 22.
Season stats: Averaged 13.1 points while shooting 40.8 percent on 8.5 three-point attempts per game, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 72 regular-season games (72 starts). In the playoffs, Robinson averaged 10.3 points while shooting 37 percent on 6.8 three-point attempts per game and 2.8 rebounds in four games.
Contract status: The Heat has until Aug. 1 to extend Robinson a $4.7 million qualifying offer, which would make him a restricted free agent and Miami will have the right to match any outside offer sheet. The Heat could pull that qualifying offer to decrease Robinson’s cap hold from $4.7 million to $1.7 million, but Robinson would then become an unrestricted free agent and Miami would not be able to match any outside offers to retain him.
What to know: Robinson has quickly earned the reputation as one of the NBA’s top shooters after spending most of his rookie season in the G League. In the last two regular seasons combined, only Sacramento’s Buddy Hield (553) and Portland’s Damian Lillard (545) have totaled more made threes than Robinson (520). He closed this past regular season with the fourth-most made threes in the NBA at 250 behind Lillard (275), Hield (282) and Golden State’s Stephen Curry (337). This comes after Robinson set a Heat record for threes made (270) in a single season in 2019-20. What does this all mean? Robinson is due for a big pay raise this offseason after playing on a $1.7 million salary this past season. Comparable players such as Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris signed a four-year, $75 million contract and Washington Wizards three-point specialist Davis Bertans signed a five-year, $80 million as free agents last offseason. It will be expensive to bring back Robinson in free agency this summer, but losing his elite outside shooting would also be costly.
MAX STRUS, wing
Age: Turned 25 on March 28.
Season stats: Averaged 6.1 points while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 33.8 percent on threes in 39 games (zero starts). In the playoffs, Strus logged just six minutes.
Contract status: Since Strus finished the season on a two-way deal, the Heat has to decide whether to make a qualifying offer this offseason to make Strus a restricted free agent and gain the right to match offers from other teams. A qualifying offer doesn’t necessarily mean Strus will be part of the Heat’s 15-man roster next season. The qualifying offer could turn into another two-way contract unless Miami is forced to match standard contract offers Strus receives as a restricted free agent.
What to know: The Heat converted Strus’ Exhibit 10 deal to a two-way contract just days before the start of the season. His shooting is what impressed coaches and players early on, but he showed off other parts of his game along the way as he was able to play in games during stretches because of the unique circumstances surrounding the 2020-21 NBA season. Strus shot 33.8 percent on 3.8 three-point attempts per game, which is not as efficient as expected. But he was effective around the basket, finishing 33 of 36 (91.7 percent) from inside the restricted area. Strus (6-5, 215) said he grew most as a defender in the Heat’s developmental program this past season. But did Strus do enough to warrant a second look from the Heat on another two-way deal or standard contract? Or will the Heat cycle in a new two-way player and let Strus sign elsewhere? He’ll be expected to be a more efficient three-point shooter moving forward.
GABE VINCENT, guard
Age: Turns 25 on June 14.
Season stats: Averaged 4.8 points while shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 30.9 percent on threes, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 50 regular-season games (seven starts). In the playoffs, Vincent totaled five points, one rebound and two assists in 14 minutes.
Contract status: Since Vincent finished the season on a two-way deal, the Heat has to decide whether to make a qualifying offer this offseason to make Vincent a restricted free agent and gain the right to match offers from other teams. A qualifying offer doesn’t necessarily mean Vincent will be part of the Heat’s 15-man roster next season. The qualifying offer could turn into another two-way contract unless Miami is forced to match standard contract offers Vincent receives as a restricted free agent.
What to know: Vincent, who first joined Miami on a two-way deal in the middle of the 2019-20 season, became the first player who the Heat has kept on a two-way deal for multiple seasons since this type of contract was instituted starting in the 2017-18 season. Will the Heat bring back Vincent on a two-way contract for a third straight season? Vincent’s outside shooting went cold this past season, but his growth as a perimeter defender impressed. There could be a consistent role for Vincent in the NBA as a pesky on-ball defender who can also make threes. It’s worth noting that a player can’t play under two-way contracts for the same team for more than a total of three seasons.
OMER YURTSEVEN, center
Age: Turns 23 on June 19.
Season stats: Signed with the Heat in the final days of the regular season on May 14 and has yet to play in an NBA game. Yurtseven appeared in 14 games (one start) with the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League this past season, averaging 15.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.36 blocks and 21.1 minutes while shooting 62.6 percent from the field and 38.1 percent on 1.5 three-point attempts per game.
Contract status: The Heat has until Aug. 1 to decide on the $1.5 million team option in Yurtseven’s contract for next season.
What to know: The Heat added the 7-footer to its well-regarded developmental program for the offseason, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the roster next season. That will depend on what Yurtseven shows the Heat in the gym this summer and possibly in summer league in August. It will probably also depend on what else Miami decides to do with its roster this offseason. Yurtseven’s 2021-22 salary is non-guaranteed. Yurtseven has focused on improving his three-point shot since leaving college, as he noted that he put up 20,000 shots per month for eight straight months from the end of his college season to last November’s NBA Draft. He went undrafted in 2020.
