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Miami Heat: Wayne Ellington is back and ready to be better than ever

By Allana Tachauer

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) /
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Wayne Ellington is back baby.

Miami Heat fans can finally rejoice: the Man with the Golden Arm is returning to South Florida.

On Thursday evening it was announced that the organization is re-signing Wayne Ellington to a one-year, $6.27 million deal.

The sharp-shooter reportedly worked together with the front office to reach terms that would assist in alleviating Miami’s current tax situation. Of course, there’s still plenty of work to be done in that regard, considering the Heat’s total salary is now at $127 million, bringing them $3.2 million over the tax. However, although their current tax bill is $4.9 million, they do have until the end of the regular season to position themselves below the threshold.

Which in layman’s terms means the franchise will have to get some trades going soon.

It should be noted though that Ellington can’t be moved unless he wants to be, as his one-year contract makes him a Birds Rights free agent next July, meaning he can veto any deal put in front of him.

A clause that seems well-deserved, considering the 30-year-old’s recent career-season.

Ellington finished 2017-18 averaging 11.2 points a game on 39.2 shooting from downtown. He now leads the franchise in 3-pointers made in a single season with 227, scoring 32 points in the team’s regular season finale on April 11 against the Toronto Raptors (going 8-for-12 from beyond-the-arc). And he set a league record for 3-pointers made off the bench when he splashed his third 3 versus the Atlanta Hawks on April 4, bringing his total to 207.

No wonder president Pat Riley said that re-signing the NBA journeyman was his top priority this summer.

The best part?

Heat Nation should only keep expecting more from No. 2.

"“I don’t think we showed everything we were capable of last season,” Ellington said. “Already this summer, guys have been working. Guys have improved. That’s what it’s about. You’ve got to get better from within, from inside your team. And naturally, I think we’ll continue to get better.”"

While Ellington has always exhibited flashes of brilliance, it’s obvious just how comfortable he has become in Miami’s system. Between always having the green light to shoot from head coach Erik Spoelstra, being able to assert himself as a leader for the second unit and reaping the results of the Heat Culture, South Florida really is the perfect place for the Pennsylvania-native.

"“I feel great here in Miami. I’ve built very strong relationships with a lot of people. These guys that I go to war with every night, we’ve gone from strangers to teammates to brothers. This is where I wanted to be… I feel like this is home now,”"

And the feeling from fans is very much mutual.

Despite many people still waiting for a blockbuster deal to come out of Miami’s front office, everyone is pretty much in agreement that this move is the right one for the organization.

Especially at such a price.

Next: Miami Heat: 3 questions from two weeks of free agency

Now that Ellington is back, what’s next for the Miami Heat? Free agency is going strong.

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