All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: How important is re-signing Wayne Ellington?

By Jack Leniart

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

How hard should the Miami Heat work to re-sign Wayne Ellington?

Wayne Ellington (or “Wayn3 3llington,” as he’s more fondly known as) is a free agent this offseason.

The 30-year-old shooting guard led the Miami Heat in made 3-pointers last season with 227; a mark good enough to break the Heat’s single season record. It was also 100 more than the player with the second-most made 3’s.

Even more impressive than that was Ellington’s 3-point percentage. Despite shooting at such a high volume, he finished the season at 39.2 percent. That was the best 3-point percentage on the team amongst players with at least thirty-six attempts.

Ellington stretches the floor and brings some much-needed offense to the Heat, but will he return to the roster for the 2018-2019 season?

Will it be Wayne-ing 3’s in Miami?

It’s easy to see the value of a player like Ellington – especially at his price last season.

The challenge for the Heat is finding room for him on their current payroll, with respect to the salary cap. However, the Heat already have some significant contracts on their books for the next few years that have tied their hands financially.

If Miami reached a deal with Ellington that paid him the same salary as last season ($6.27 million), they would have to pay luxury tax. Based on his production and the current free agent market, Ellington is due for a pay raise.

Multiple teams have already reached out to him and expressed their interest in signing him.

Since the Heat have early bird rights to Ellington’s contract, they can offer him up to $10.9 million. Given their current roster and the landscape of the league, is that really worth it?

You can make an argument for both cases – signing Ellington or not.

I’m of the belief that he would sign to stay with the Heat if the team offered him $10.9 million. To get to that point though, the team would probably need to move some contracts off their books.

Regardless of all that, I’m not convinced that securing Ellington makes this team a true contender in the Eastern Conference. They would still be chasing teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors. Oh, and all three of those teams are chasing the Golden State Warriors and Rockets Houston. Now, even the Los Angeles Lakers are rising to the top-tier of the West.

The ideal situation for the Heat would be to find a trade partner to move some of their bad contracts. This would make room for Ellington at a salary that he deserves.

From what I can gather, the people in Miami’s front office love what Ellington is about, both on and off the court.

Next: Can the Miami Heat snag Jimmy Butler this summer?

If you’re not going to be a legitimate contender, it’s best to have guys in your locker room that can maintain and build upon your organization’s culture.

Home/Heat News