As expected, Josh McRoberts will exercise his option and remain with the Miami Heat to play out the final year of his contract.
Josh McRoberts will be with the Miami Heat for one more season, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
Agent Mike Conley told me a few hours ago that Josh McRoberts, as expected,will exercise his $6 million player option and remain with Heat
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) May 23, 2017
McRoberts, 30, played in just 22 games last season, averaging 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game. Since signing with the Heat in 2014, he’s spent most of his time sidelined with injuries. He’s played in just 81 games in three seasons. McRoberts signed a four-year, $22 million deal with a player option for the 2017-18 season worth roughly $6 million. Considering his injury history, it made sense for McRoberts to take the money.
The Heat have to be disappointed with how McRoberts’ time in Miami has gone. When they signed him, they thought they were getting the nimble, trick-pass-happy stretch-4 that averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 assists per game for Charlotte in 2013-14.
McRoberts was supposed to pair with Chris Bosh to form a dynamic frontcourt that could space the floor for Dwyane Wade and (at the time) LeBron James. Even after LeBron signed with Cleveland, McRoberts and Bosh were dual threats to shoot, pass, or attack off the dribble.
However with McRoberts’ injuries and Bosh’s unfortunate health concerns, that vision failed to materialize. In three seasons the two shared the court for just 444 total minutes (equal to a little more than five games).
It’s possible McRoberts could recover from the various foot injuries that sidelined him last season and contribute for the Heat next season, but with so many dents it’s unlikely McRoberts will be the same player he once was. Still, he could play some small-ball 5 as a backup center, especially if Willie Reed signs elsewhere as a free agent this summer.
The Heat could waive McRoberts using the stretch provision to free up cap space, which would create a roster spot and save the team roughly $4 million this season. However, that would mean paying McRoberts a little more than $2 million in each of the next three seasons. I only see that happening as a last resort in order to sign a big name free agent.
Next: Heat, Bosh nearing agreement to assure cap relief
It’s more likely that the organization toughs out one more season of overpaying McRoberts, and hopes he can get healthy to make more of a contribution in the final year of his deal.