Months after Heat talked to OKC about Chris Paul, more clarity offered
A six-pack of Heat notes on a Wednesday:
▪ On the day last July that ESPN reported it expected a Heat pursuit of Chris Paul after his trade from Houston to Oklahoma City, we reported here that Miami intended to do due diligence with the Thunder but that the Heat’s interest was lukewarm, and that OKC and Paul would need to make big concessions to make the Heat inclined to pursue this.
One big reason for Miami not pursuing this strongly - and one that ultimately couldn’t be overcome - is Paul’s $44.2 million player option for 2021-22. With the Heat’s desire to maintain sufficient cap space for a max free agent in 2021, the only way a Paul trade would work for Miami is if Paul promised to opt out in exchange for the (wink/wink) promise that Miami would take care of him for several seasons.
But that was never realistic, and for the first time, Paul this week ruled out that scenario in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Nadkarni, while not discussing the Heat or any team in particular.
When asked whether he would waive that $44.2 million option if it meant he could be traded to a championship contender, Paul said: “No chance. That’s not happening. Nope.”
So what seemed likely has now been stated in no uncertain terms. And even beyond that $44 million problem, OKC wasn’t receptive to the Heat’s desire to get back one or both of its future first-round picks owned by the Thunder.
Would Paul help the Heat? Of course. Is he worth sacrificing a chance for Giannis Antetokounmpo or a younger star such as a Victor Oladipo in the 2021 free agent class? Hardly.
▪ The Heat added two players to its injury report late Tuesday.
Duncan Robinson is questionable for Wednesday’s home game against Washington with an ankle sprain. And Goran Dragic is probable with a bruised knee.
Jimmy Butler, who missed Monday’s win against Sacramento with a sore hip, is probable for Wednesday. Justise Winslow remains out.
Winslow, by the way, sought the opinion of a non-Heat-related specialist during this process (there are differing opinions in play) and when he plays again is anybody’s guess. (Remember, the Heat said last week that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks, not play in two weeks.)
▪ Robinson’s streak of 28 consecutive games with at least one three pointer is the sixth longest in team history and the longest in-season Heat streak since Rafer Alston made a three in 48 consecutive games in 2003-04.
Also, Robinson’s 28 straight games with a three is the fifth longest current active streak, trailing only James Harden (62), Stephen Curry (obviously out injured), Buddy Hield and Joe Harris.
▪ Quick update on the Heat’s two new two-way contract players: Kyle Alexander has been sidelined with a knee injury.
And guard Gabe Vincent has had a fairly quiet first three games with the Heat’s G-League team in South Dakota, averaging 13.0 points and 23 minutes, while shooting 29.6 percent on threes (8 for 27).
With the G-League team in Stockton, Cal., this season, he averaged 23.7 points and 31.8 minutes in 23 games while shooting 42.3 percent on threes (88 for 208).
▪ Couple things, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks: He noted Miami’s current luxury tax bill would be $6.65 million, lower than only Golden State’s and Portland’s. But unlike last season, when Miami dealt Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington to Phoenix at the trade deadline for luxury tax and roster-thinning reasons, I wouldn’t expect jettisoning of players for clearly lesser talent for tax reasons,not with Miami standing second in the East.
Now if the Heat can somehow trim payroll while improving, that’s another story.
Marks also notes that the only future pick that Miami can trade is a 2024 second-rounder. That makes the Heat the team with the least-available-trade-eligible draft capital in the league. The Lakers also can’t trade a future first-rounder but can deal a second-round pick one year sooner than Miami can.
▪ Heat owner Micky Arison, CEO Nick Arison, president Pat Riley, general manager Andy Elisburg and coach Erik Spoelstra were among thousands in attendance at former NBA commissioner David Stern’s memorial service on Tuesday in New York. Riley was reportedly among the speakers. Stern died on Jan. 1 at age 77 following a Dec. 12 brain hemorrhage.
Here’s my Tuesday piece with tons of feedback on new UM quarterback D’Eric King and a Jarren Williams update.
Here’s my Tuesday Dolphins 6-pack with news on Tua Tagovailoa and a bunch of other things.
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 7:30 PM.
