Rounding up what the Miami Heat did at the NBA’s trade deadline.
The Miami Heat were one of the more aggressive teams at the NBA trade deadline Thursday, pushing hard to get under the luxury tax. In three trades, the Heat did just that. It was quite the whirlwind of moves, but ultimately it was nothing surprising. Here’s a summary of all the deals.
Miami Heat trade Chris Andersen in three-team deal.
Related Story: Heat acquire point guard, trade Andersen in three-team deal
The Heat got things started on Wednesday by trading fan favorite Chris Andersen in a three-team deal that netted them point guard Brian Roberts.
The Heat sent Andersen and two conditional second round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis traded guard Courtney Lee to the Hornets for PJ Hairston and two future second round picks.
The move saved the Heat nearly $6 million total when accounting for salary and the luxury tax hit. Miami stood $3.5 million over the tax after the deal.
Heat trade Jarnell Stokes
Related Story: Heat trade Jarnell Stokes, create roster spot
Miami’s first move this morning was trading Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans. Miami had been trying to get a second round pick in return for the power forward, but ultimately received a highly-protected pick that won’t likely ever be conveyed.
Jarnell Stokes has been traded to New Orleans for a highly protected pick that Miami likely never will cash in The Sun Sentinel confirmed
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 18, 2016
The move saved the Heat about $2.4 million when considering the cap and luxury tax. It also opened up a roster spot.
Heat trade Roberts to Portland
Related Story: Heat flip Brian Roberts, get under luxury tax
This was a crazy deadline for Brian Roberts. In two days. Roberts was a part of three different teams. The Heat’s final move before the deadline was flipping Roberts a day after trading for him to the Portland Trail Blazers.
MIami has traded guard Brian Roberts and a second-round pick to Portland, league source tells @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
With the Roberts deal, Miami drops under the luxury tax, saving $6M.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
The Heat are now under the luxury tax, something that is certainly very relieving for the organization. They ultimately traded players who they were rumored to have been shopping for just that reason. So, no surprises.
In 3 days, the Heat went from paying > $25 million in luxury tax to getting paid by the remaining tax-paying teams (CLE, LAC, etc.)
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) February 18, 2016
What’s next?
The Heat, with two open roster spots, will now turn to the buyout market to fill those positions.
Heat will look at players bought out if no trade for help happens next 30 minutes. Can now stay under tax line even if sign player to min.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 18, 2016
The Heat have created enough room that they can sign players to the minimum and stay below the tax line. Miami has been linked to free agents Dorrell Wright and Tony Wroten in the past, and the buyout market could include Joe Johnson and others.
Stay tuned.