Heat juggle luxury-tax line with roster stuck at 14 players
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The Miami Heat have 14 players on standard contracts after sending Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets and signing guard Dru Smith over the weekend.
Because the team sits about $1.7 million below the luxury-tax threshold and $7.2 million under the first apron, adding a 15th player today would push Miami into tax territory. To stay beneath the line, the front office could wait until December, when a prorated veteran-minimum deal would fit under the cap.
An earlier addition would require shedding salary. Options include a trade or using the waive-and-stretch provision, with guard Terry Rozier’s contract viewed as the likeliest target if the Heat choose that route.
Unbalanced depth chart
The roster remains wing-heavy and light at other spots. Rookie Kelel Ware is the lone true center, and Tyler Herro is projected to run point despite spending most of his career at shooting guard. Miami also has one open two-way slot.
Cap relief from Highsmith-Smith swap
Replacing Highsmith with Smith lowered payroll pressure. Smith’s contract counts for less than half of Highsmith’s figure against the cap and tax this season, giving the Heat flexibility to pursue front-court help later in the year.
Smith, who tore his Achilles in December, is expected to be available early in the upcoming season.
Source: Hoops Wire
