8 Players Miami Heat chose to hold on for way too long

Duncan Robinson (2018-present)

In the NBA’s restart bubble, Duncan Robinson was considered one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. During that 2019-20 season, Robinson averaged 13.5 points and three rebounds on 45 percent shooting from 3-point range. He followed that up by averaging 13 points on 41 percent shooting from 3-point range. Heading into free agency, it was clear that Robinson was going to get a huge payday. The question was whether it was going to come from the Heat or another team.

During the 2021 offseason, Robinson re-signed with the Heat via a five-year, $90 million deal. After signing that deal, Robinson’s play has regressed in every season. Robinson only appeared in 42 games this past season while averaging six points on 33 percent shooting from 3-point range. His play improved in the postseason, but it’s tough to justify the $90 million contract even with his slightly improved play.

On one hand, you can say the Heat needed to retain the asset that Robinson was. However, on the other hand, now looking back, you can argue that his contract on the books has continued to hurt the team in their efforts to tangibly improve the roster around Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.