Miami Heat FA: Duncan Robinson Gets PAID… $90M Over Five Years
The 2021 NBA free agency period has officially begun. The Miami Heat have been linked to several superstars such as Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, and even some Luka Doncic noise.
Although none have verbally said they would like to play in South Beach, one familiar face announced he would like to stay with the Heat. The sharpshooting Duncan Robinson has mentioned his preference is to stay with the Heat.
The Heat had mutual feelings and will be keeping Robinson home as his shooting is pivotal and needed. According to Woj, the deal is for 5-years worth 90M.
It’s a lot, but it was what had to be done. He’s absolutely essential to what they do.
Duncan Robinson – host of the @TheLongshotPod – has agreed to a 5-year, $90M contract to stay with the Miami Heat, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. The deal, largest ever for an undrafted player, also includes an ETO after the fourth year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
By resigning Duncan Robinson, this move keeps the Heat in contention for the Eastern Conference Finals and potentially for another run back to the NBA Finals. The other of the newest Miami Heat additions, Kyle Lowry, helps set them up for just that.
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The Miami Heat had to bring back their resident sniper, Duncan Robinson. They did so too and for $90 million across five years.
You are looking at a potential lineup of Lowry, Duncan, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and maybe the Heat bring back Ariza or another wing. With a strong starting core, having a bench with the likes of Herro, Nunn, Dedmon, KZ, Vincent, and Strus, the Miami Heat are setting themselves up for another long run into the playoffs and will look to get back to the NBA Finals this upcoming season.
Why did the Heat decide to keep Duncan Robinson? There are few reasons to speak of.
1. Shooting – Duncan Robinson is one of the NBA’s best 3 point shooters. Robinson is a 43.9% shooter from downtown.
He finished fourth in the NBA in 3-pointers made with 270 in 2021 and finished tied for third with Damian Lillard in 2020 with 250. Robinson has accumulated 520 triples in 2 seasons and only Buddy Hield and Damian Lillard have more in that span.
2. Spacing – When you have the offense run through Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, you need spacing. Jimmy and Bam are not great shooters from behind the arc, so you need to surround them with shooters.
Keeping Robinson will help the spacing immensely, as his shooting will be needed to space the floor to give Jimmy and Bam room to operate mid-range, via the pick and roll, and to attack the paint.
3. A Familiar Face – Can the Heat potentially spend the $16-18M elsewhere or on another player? Sure.
Duncan Robinson has called South Beach home now for 3 seasons though and barring any trades, he will play for the Heat for another 5 years. Also, Duncan knows the culture and he knows what Coach Spo requires from his players.
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He knows the Heat Culture has helped him and made him who he is, plus, sometimes you cant replace chemistry and camaraderie. Look for Robinson to continue to assert himself as one of the best marksmen in the NBA and he will continue to do so wearing a Miami Heat jersey.