How will Heat decide to fill its two open roster spots? The options and factors to consider
The NBA’s trade deadline is in the past, but the Miami Heat is still dealing with moving parts on its roster and will likely add at least one new player in the coming weeks.
That’s because the Heat was left with two open roster spots after last week’s trade that sent Dewayne Dedmon and a 2028 second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for cash considerations. One of those empty roster spots was temporarily filled when Miami signed developmental guard Jamaree Bouyea on Wednesday to a 10-day contract, but that deal will expire shortly after the All-Star break.
So, what are the Heat’s options to fill the two openings on its roster?
The Heat can use one of the empty spots by simply converting undrafted rookie center Orlando Robinson from a two-way contract to a standard deal to make sure he’s available for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Robinson, who has been playing as Miami’s backup center for the last month, will be eligible to be on the Heat’s active roster for just five more games this regular season following Monday’s home matchup against the Denver Nuggets as part of his two-way contract.
The Heat could also fill one or both of the openings by shopping the buyout/free agent market. Players must be waived by March 1 in order to be playoff eligible elsewhere and they can then sign with a new team up to the final day of the regular season.
Some options on the buyout market are already off the board. According to reports, guard Reggie Jackson will sign with the Nuggets, wing Terrence Ross will sign with the Phoenix Suns, guard Danny Green will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Justin Holiday plans to sign with the Dallas Mavericks after their buyouts.
Among other buyout/free agent candidates who could or already are available include guards Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph, Bryn Forbes, R.J. Hampton and Will Barton; forwards James Johnson, Dario Saric and Stanley Johnson; and big men Serge Ibaka, Goga Bitadze, Kevin Love, Nerlens Noel and Khem Birch.
The Heat has had internal discussions about Westbrook, 34, and is expected to inquire if he becomes available. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Heat and Chicago Bulls have interest, but Westbrook isn’t certain that he will seek a buyout from Utah, which is willing to give him one.
Ibaka, 33, has interest in joining the Heat if he’s bought out, and there’s also some level of interest from the Heat’s side.
But there are question marks on the Heat’s current roster that could determine how the team decides to fill its two open roster spots.
▪ How confident is the Heat that center Omer Yurtseven will be ready to contribute productive minutes upon his return from left ankle surgery? Yurtseven, who has yet to play this season, is expected to make his season debut soon after the All-Star break.
▪ What is the Heat’s plan for point guard Kyle Lowry when/if he returns from his ongoing left knee issue this season? Lowry, who was made available in trade talks ahead of the deadline, is expected to miss the remaining games in February and likely some time beyond that, although the situation continues to be fluid.
If the Heat believes Yurtseven can be effective and consistently available when he returns to be the best backup center option on the roster, the Heat may choose not to convert Robinson’s contract and instead use that roster spot on another position like guard or forward.
“Just focusing on what I’m here to do and the games that are upcoming,” Robinson said when asked how he’s approaching the final NBA days on his two-way contract. “If I’m playing in them, I just need to come and just produce and help the team win as much as possible. The days are coming up, which is not really concerning to me because I’m just embracing the opportunity and trying to contribute in any way that I can. I know when it is.”
If the Heat is unsure whether Lowry will be able to return and avoid more missed games moving forward because of his troublesome left knee, adding another point guard could be a priority.
Even if Lowry does return, it remains to be seen if he would be inserted back into the starting lineup with Gabe Vincent playing well in that role in his absence. Would Lowry accept a bench role if the Heat decides to keep Vincent in the starting lineup?
“I don’t think it changes much for me at all,” Vincent said when asked how the uncertainty surrounding Lowry’s situation may affect him. “I think it’s the same as always. Just being ready to step in any role that’s necessary to help my team win. So whatever it may look like night in and night out, just trying to find ways to be impactful and impact winning.”
One thing is for sure: The Heat is well-positioned to bid for players on the buyout market after the Dedmon trade put the Heat nearly $5 million below the luxury tax threshold. This means Miami can use its $4.1 million bi-annual exception or the remaining $4 million of its midlevel exception to sign players in the coming days and weeks without entering the tax.
Using the bi-annual exception this season would take it off the table for the Heat next season because this exception can’t be used two years in a row. And using any remaining portion of its midlevel exception would hard cap Miami at the apron of $157 million, which is not an issue because the Heat is not even expected to cross the luxury-tax threshold of $150.3 million this season.
The Heat has been hesitant to enter the tax this season because it expects to be a luxury tax team next season. Avoiding the tax line this season keeps the clock from starting toward the punitive repeater tax, which is triggered when a team is in the luxury tax at least three times during a four-year period.
As for Dedmon, he was waived by the Spurs following the trade. ESPN reported Monday that Dedmon will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for the rest of the season.
INJURY REPORT
The Heat will have 10 available players for Monday’s game against the Nuggets.
Tyler Herro (left knee contusion), Nikola Jovic (lower back stress reaction), Lowry (left knee soreness), Victor Oladipo (right ankle sprain), Duncan Robinson (finger surgery) and Yurtseven (left ankle surgery) have been ruled out for the Heat.
The Nuggets will also be short-handed. Denver will be missing Aaron Gordon (left rib contusion) and Jamal Murray (right knee inflammation) against Miami.
This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 10:12 AM.
