With Thomas Bryant, Kevin Love, Haywood Highsmith and Alec Burks, the Heat's summer recruitment is not, we can say, the most flamboyant or the most surprising. Already because the first three mentioned are extended, then because the last was not the most coveted free agent in the league.
But given the resources available, the Miami franchise could hardly do better. This lack of dollars is explained by the transfer of Terry Rozier during last season, GM recalls of the Heat.
Make do with what you have
“When we made this trade, we found ourselves with a payroll that was going to exceed the 'first apron'. We wanted to make this transfer early enough to give ourselves a chance to play for the title. That's why we did it. And that was going to leave us with few places for movements afterwards.”says Andy Elisburg.
Injuries to Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier will weigh down the team, which is eliminated by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. The bet is missed, then the leaders are almost tied hand and foot…
“Either we extended our free agents, or we signed players at minimum salary or with exceptions”specifies the GM. “We approached the summer like this, with this style of movements.”
To keep Kevin Love and Haywood Highsmith, the Heat gave up $18.8 million over two years, plus $2.8 million for one more season with Thomas Bryant. However, because he wanted a lot of money, Caleb Martin did not stay in Florida.
“When we negotiated with Love and Highsmith, with salaries higher than the minimum, that was what the market could offer for them. These are fair contracts, for both sides. We got what we wanted and they got what they wanted,” estimates the leader, before speaking of Thomas Bryant. “We wanted one more pivot in the squad, Erik Spoelstra likes him and wanted to keep him.”
A free seat for a good deal
What's next? Keep the last free spot in the squad to give themselves some room to maneuver during the season. “We've had success in this area. Whether it's a converted two-way contract or someone we find,” Andy Elisburg remembers. “That's how Max Strus came in, Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn. We had space, we were able to sign them.”
It is also necessary to avoid the “second apron”, this barrier for excessive expenses, in order not to find yourself in an even more complicated situation when recruiting. “We want to keep a little flexibility, to have transfer prospects”adds the GM. Especially since there is an important file to manage shortly: Jimmy Butler, who did not extend this summer and should do so in 2025.
“Like Pat Riley said: We don't have to do this now. We can do it all year long and we'll have a window, at some point, to do it. If he's free, then we can talk to him. Jimmy said he wanted to stay in Miami and we said we wanted him to stay.”concludes Andy Elisburg.
