Miami Heat: 5 key questions to keep an eye on as free agency looms

Pat Riley, President of the Miami Heat (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Pat Riley, President of the Miami Heat (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 9, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat warms up before the game during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 9, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

What will be the fate of the non-guaranteed players?

There are four players on the Miami Heat roster with non-guaranteed contracts, in addition to the partially guaranteed contract of Ryan Anderson. These players are Duncan Robinson, Derrick Jones Jr., Yante Maten and Kendrick Nunn.

It’s likely that second-round pick KZ Okpala will also have a partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed contract as well once he officially signs a contract with the Heat.

There will be tough decisions made on each of these contracts because while they can be cleared off the books for free, they’re also cheap labor for a team that needs all the inexpensive help they can get. Most likely at least a couple of these players will be on the roster (and the roster of the Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce) for much of this season as a result.

In the unlikely circumstance the Heat are actually able to find a trade partner for a significant trade, however, it’s very possible some of these players may be included as fodder thanks to the fact that they have utility as either cheap contracts on their new team or can be cleared off the books with relative ease.