All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat waive Beno Udrih, guard goes unclaimed

By Allana Tachauer

January 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat guard Beno Udrih (19) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat guard Beno Udrih (19) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After the Miami Heat both surprised and annoyed the rest of the league by announcing that they were waiving guard Beno Udrih, it turns out the 33-year-old has gone unclaimed.

According to sources, the organization was hoping that a team like the Philadelphia 76ers would pick Udrih up, in order to get them even further below the luxury tax line. This would have left room for the Heat to sign two additional players, such as Houston Rockets guard Marcus Thorton.

While this is not necessarily a surprise given that Udrih recently had season-ending foot surgery, it is still considered a minor setback. President Pat Riley has been on a mission to get as far below the luxury tax line as possible since going financially all-in with the Big Three.

So what now?

Well, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel breaks it down like this:

"A party involved in the process told the Sun Sentinel that the team now lacks the resources to do more than add a player for the final week of the regular season, which closes April 13, with possibly another player to be added the final day of the regular season.The only way for the Heat to clear additional time for another player would be to waive a player on the current roster with an assurance that another team then would claim that player’s salary on waivers. Should such a released player go unclaimed, the Heat automatically would return to the luxury tax because of the league’s mandate of maintaining at least a 13-player roster."

Additionally, it is important to note that any player who has spent any part of the year in the NBA had to be waived by Monday, in order to eligible to make the offseason. However, guys who have been playing overseas (or simply not in the league), can be signed at any time and still join the team for the playoffs.

More heat: Miami Heat set shooting record, defeat Bulls 129-111

Because it seems like Chris Bosh will not be returning to the lineup anytime soon, it would have been nice for Miami to make additional moves as the playoffs get closer. However, as the Heat currently sit fourth in the East, only half a game behind the Boston Celtics, there is no need to be too worried. Especially with the recent addition of Joe Johnson.

Home/Heat News