The Miami Heat recently acquired Goran Dragic, a move that dropped the jaws of Heat fans and non-believers alike. Likewise, Miami also traded for brother Zoran Dragic, taking on contracts of $7.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Both of which go beyond the salaries of Norris Cole, Danny Granger, Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams.
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Earlier this year, the Heat decided they would use the disabled-player exception on Josh McRoberts, who has been out with a knee injury. However, in light of the Dragic trades, Miami may no longer be able to spend the full $2.65 million. Although they have until March 10 to officially use that money, they are currently projected to be $1.4 million below the 2014-2015 luxury tax line; a figure that comes out to $76.8 million.
As the Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman explains, spending the whole exception would reset the Heat’s luxury-tax clock. Teams that are over the line for any four years over a five-year span receive penalties such as trade limitations and use of other exceptions in the future.
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A few more things also must be kept in mind: the salary cap will only rise should any contracts be extended or any free agents signed.
Right now, Henry Walker is on a 10-day contract. And there have been rumors of Miami being interested in the likes of Michael Beasley, Andray Blatche and Thomas Robinson. The Heat currently have 14 players on their roster.
And unfortunately, as if the news of Chris Bosh being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs was not bad enough, it is too late in the season to ask for additional help with it comes to the salary-cap.
Given the current state of the team, both without Bosh on the floor and in terms of taking on additional contracts, it will be interesting to see what moves, if any, Miami makes moving forward. To say this has been an interesting year for the organization, would be an understatement.
Next: Round Table Discussion: Reacting to the Heat's Trade Deadline