The Miami Heat face decisions this week about the contracts of Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder and Okaro White.
After a flurry of offseason moves and cap gymnastics, the Miami Heat’s front office isn’t yet done making key decisions that will impact the future of the team.
This week, the Heat face three contract deadlines. Two, for Rodney McGruder and Okaro White, will determine if a large portion of their contract is guaranteed. The third, Josh Richardson, could determine how long the third-year guard is in Miami.
Let’s start with Richardson.
Beginning Thursday, the Heat can offer a contract extension for up to four years, $43 million, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. Richardson has until the start of the regular season to accept any offer made by the team, or can instead choose to become a restricted free agent after the season. Because they have Richardson’s Bird Rights, the Heat can go over the cap to re-sign him.
If Richardson were to sign an extension, he’d still be paid a $1.47 million salary, with the extension kicking in the following season. If he doesn’t, he’d be eligible to sign a more lucrative contract as a restricted free agent.
As Jackson writes, Richardson will see what the Heat are willing to offer, and that Miami’s best chance of an extension might be with a three-year deal averaging $10 million per season, with a player option for the final season.
"“The Heat is expected to discuss an extension with him, and my impression is that Richardson will at least consider it, though a strong case could be made for gambling on himself and waiting for restricted free agency next summer.”"
After leading the league in 3-point shooting during the second half of his rookie season, Richardson’s second year got off to a rocky start due to various injuries. However, he got healthy for the final stretch and started in place of an injured Dion Waiters. He averaged 13.6 points on 47.6 percent shooting over the final eight games of the season.
If Richardson believes he can build on that and make a substantial leap in his third season, it may be worth gambling on himself and trying for a more lucrative contract after the upcoming season.
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Then there’s McGruder and White. The Heat have until the end of the day Tuesday to decide to guarantee $453,000 to each of them for the season, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman.
Both are due a total of $1.3 million for the upcoming season, which will become fully guaranteed if they are on the roster for the start of the regular season. If Miami decides not to partially guarantee either of the contracts by Tuesday, they would have to waive the player.
McGruder started 65 games last season at small forward, filling in for an injured Justise Winslow, and was among Miami’s many surprises. While his box score averages didn’t stand out, he started the fifth-most games of any NBA rookie and was consistently praised by the coaching staff for his effort on the court.
White joined the Heat mid-way through the season and was a part of the team’s 13-game winning streak. He showed off some versatility as a mobile forward, and played center at times.
Both seem safe to make the team. It’d be a surprise if either McGruder or White aren’t on the roster come Wednesday morning.
Next: 5 free agents the Heat should target in 2018
The Heat’s other 12 players on the roster are fully guaranteed for the 2017-18 season.
While Miami’s front office does face some decisions, the toughest one will be for Richardson, who has to decide before the start of the season if he wants to take the money now, or bet on himself in the hopes of a bigger raise next summer.