What’s in store for the Heat? Here’s a player-by-player breakdown entering 2022 offseason

The Miami Warmth completed simply 5 wins from an NBA championship this season. Now what?

The Warmth’s present look options 5 gamers with assured salaries for subsequent season: Jimmy Butler ($37.7 million), Bam Adebayo ($30.4 million), Kyle Lowry ($28.3 million), Duncan Robinson ($16.9 million) and Tyler Herro ($5.7 million).

That listing can also be anticipated to incorporate Max Strus ($1.8 million), Gabe Vincent ($1.8 million) and Omer Yurtseven ($1.8 million) when the Warmth ensures their salaries for subsequent season, as anticipated. The Warmth additionally has a choice to make on Haywood Highsmith’s non-guaranteed $1.8 million wage for subsequent season.

Then there’s the uncertainty relating to P.J. Tucker’s future with the Warmth, as he has a $7.4 million participant choice in his contract for subsequent season that he’ll must determine on this month.

Dewayne Dedmon, Udonis Haslem, Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo will likely be unrestricted free brokers this offseason. Caleb Martin will likely be a restricted free agent.

Subsequent season’s wage cap and luxurious tax line haven’t but been set, however projections point out the wage cap will likely be about $122 million and the luxury-tax threshold will likely be about $149 million. The Warmth is anticipated to function as an over-the-cap workforce and leverage the Chook Rights of its personal free brokers to carry a few of them again, until an offseason commerce adjustments the mathematics.

As an over-the-cap workforce, the Warmth may have just a few exceptions out there to signal gamers: the $10.3 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and the $4.1 biannual exception, however utilizing both of these exceptions would exhausting cap the Warmth at about $155 million. Utilizing the $6.4 million taxpayer midlevel exception as a substitute — a workforce can’t use the taxpayer midlevel exception or the biannual exception if it makes use of this exception — wouldn’t exhausting cap the Warmth, but it surely’s going to be difficult for Miami to keep away from a luxurious tax invoice in both state of affairs.

The excellent news for the Warmth is the punitive repeater tax (when a workforce is over the tax at the least thrice throughout a four-year interval) just isn’t presently a priority. The final time Miami completed a season as a tax workforce was in 2019-20, because it prevented the tax within the final two seasons.

It’s additionally value noting that the Warmth holds the No. 27 decide, which it’s eligible to commerce, within the June 23 draft.

Right here’s what the Warmth has to work with this offseason, with a player-by-player breakdown …

BAM ADEBAYO, middle

▪ Age: Turns 25 on July 18.

▪ Contract standing: Due $30.4 million subsequent season within the second yr of a five-year, $163 million max contract extension he signed within the 2020 offseason.

▪ What to know: Adebayo averaged a career-high in factors (19.1 per sport) and shot makes an attempt (13 per sport) in his third full season because the Warmth’s beginning middle. He additionally grabbed 10.1 rebounds, dished out 3.4 assists, racked up 1.4 steals per sport, and supplied his regular elite protection to complete fourth within the Defensive Participant of the Yr voting and earn a spot on the All-Defensive Second Staff this season. However Adebayo performed in a career-low 56 video games this common season as proper thumb surgical procedure pressured him to overlook seven weeks. The objective for Adebayo this offseason will likely be to proceed to enhance offensively. The subsequent step in Adebayo’s evolution might be incorporating the three-point shot or extra submit strikes into his offensive repertoire. Adebayo shot simply 0 of 6 on threes and scored simply 0.98 factors per possession (63.3 percentile within the NBA) in post-up conditions this common season. Adebayo stays an vital a part of the Warmth’s long-term plan as one of many NBA’s high younger stars and two-way massive males, however continued progress on the offensive finish will likely be anticipated.

JIMMY BUTLER, wing

▪ Age: Turns 33 on Sept. 14.

▪ Contract standing: Due $37.7 million subsequent season earlier than a three-year, $146.4 million extension begins within the 2023-24 season that can hold him below contract with the Warmth by the 2025-26 season when he’ll be 36 years outdated.

▪ What to know: Butler is the Warmth’s greatest participant and he once more proved this postseason that he’s one of many high two-way gamers within the NBA. Butler averaged 27.4 factors on 50.6 % taking pictures from the sphere, 7.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and a couple of.1 steals on this yr’s playoffs. He joined Michael Jordan, Larry Chook, Charles Barkley and Kawhi Leonard as the one gamers in NBA historical past to common at the least 27 factors, seven rebounds, 4 assists and two steals whereas taking pictures higher than 50 % from the sphere throughout a playoff run. In two of Butler’s first three seasons with the Warmth, he has elevated his sport to guide the workforce to deep playoff runs — 2020 to the NBA Finals earlier than dropping to the Los Angeles Lakers and 2022 to the Jap Convention finals earlier than dropping to the Boston Celtics. Butler is likely one of the few gamers within the league who’s particular sufficient to be one of the best participant on a championship workforce. However with Butler turning 33 in just a few months, it’s truthful to query how lengthy he can produce at this excessive of a degree. The Warmth’s objective this offseason will likely be to proceed to enhance the roster round Butler to ensure he has sufficient assist to lastly win his first championship.

DEWAYNE DEDMON, middle

▪ Age: Turns 33 on Aug. 12.

▪ Contract standing: Will turn out to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Warmth has Dedmon’s early Chook rights, which permits Miami to exceed the wage cap to re-sign him to a contract with a beginning wage of as much as about $11 million however for at least two seasons. The Warmth may also signal him utilizing the non-Chook exception with a beginning wage of as much as $3.1 million or simply carry him again on a minimal contract value about $2.6 million.

▪ What to know: Dedmon has been the Warmth’s backup middle since he joined the Warmth as a free agent late within the 2020-21 season, offering much-needed high quality minutes when beginning middle Bam Adebeyo has been on the bench. The Warmth outscored opponents by 3.5 factors per 100 possessions with Dedmon on the court docket this common season. Dedmon’s capacity as a curler, screener and rebounder have helped Miami survive the non-Adebayo minutes. However Dedmon’s minutes weren’t as constructive this postseason, as opponents outscored the Warmth by 1.2 factors per 100 possessions with the Dedmon on the court docket within the playoffs largely due to defensive points. Dedmon even fell out of the rotation within the East finals. As an alternative, Miami went small and used 6-5 ahead P.J. Tucker as its backup middle and Dedmon didn’t play in Video games 5, 6 and seven of the convention finals. Bringing again Dedmon as Adebayo’s backup is smart for the Warmth if the value is correct, however how far Miami’s entrance workplace is prepared to go might depend upon how a lot confidence it has in Omer Yurtseven probably entering into the backup middle function.

UDONIS HASLEM, ahead

▪ Age: Turns 42 on June 9.

▪ Contract standing: Will turn out to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Warmth has Haslem’s Chook rights, so it could exceed the wage cap to re-sign him as much as his most wage.

▪ What to know: If Haslem desires to return, he’ll possible be again on a minimal contract once more. He’s nonetheless undecided on whether or not he desires to return for a twentieth NBA season and can take a while this offseason to make that call. However Haslem did inform the Miami Herald in November that he has a objective of reaching the 20-season mark due to the historic side of it and it’s additionally a milestone his late father, Johnnie Haslem, wished him to succeed in. Vince Carter, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Jamal Crawford are the one gamers in NBA historical past to play in at the least 20 NBA seasons. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Haslem might be part of that listing subsequent season. Haslem has served as a Warmth captain in 15 consecutive seasons, the longest tenure in workforce historical past. If Haslem does return, it received’t be to play vital minutes. He has performed in simply 28 video games because the begin of the 2018-19 season. The final time the Warmth’s locker room didn’t embody Haslem was within the 2002-03 season.

TYLER HERRO, guard

▪ Age: Turned 22 on Jan. 20.

▪ Contract standing: Due $5.7 million subsequent season within the closing yr of his rookie-scale contract. Herro is eligible to signal a contact extension with the Warmth value as a lot as $181 million over 5 seasons this offseason, with a first-year wage (2023-24) of $31.2 million. He can signal for 5 years — as a substitute of 4 — provided that he will get a max contract.

▪ What to know: Herro closed the common season because the Warmth’s second-leading scorer with a career-high 20.7 factors per sport in a bench function to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Yr award. Herro did it whereas taking pictures a career-best 44.7 % from the sphere and 39.9 % from three-point vary, whereas averaging a career-high 4 assists. However Herro’s manufacturing dipped this postseason, as he averaged simply 12.6 factors whereas taking pictures 40.9 % from the sphere and 22.9 % from three-point vary and a couple of.8 assists on this yr’s playoffs. A hamstring harm additionally pressured Herro to overlook a part of the East finals. Whereas Herro confronted adversity and didn’t stay as much as expectations within the postseason, he was arguably the workforce’s most constant and dynamic scorer within the common season. Herro will proceed to enhance and the 22-year-old hopes to be a starter subsequent season. With All-Star potential, Herro is vital as one of many few three-level scorers on the roster. However how a lot is the Warmth prepared to present Herro as a part of an extension? Herro will naturally search a max extension from the Warmth, however current historical past signifies he could not get it. Jaylen Brown signed a four-year, $107 million extension with the Boston Celtics within the 2019 offseason and Mikal Bridges signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Phoenix Suns final offseason. The Warmth and Herro have a mid-October deadline (the ultimate day earlier than the beginning of the common season) to succeed in an settlement on an extension. If an extension isn’t agreed to by then, Herro will turn out to be a restricted free agent within the 2023 offseason. As a proficient younger participant getting into the ultimate season of his rookie deal, Herro can also be one of many Warmth’s most engaging commerce chips so he’ll possible be talked about in loads of commerce hypothesis once more this summer time.

HAYWOOD HIGHSMITH, ahead

▪ Age: Turns 26 on Dec. 9.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth has to determine on the $1.8 million workforce choice in Highsmith’s contract for subsequent season, which might turn out to be partially assured this summer time.

▪ What to know: Initially signing with the Warmth as a COVID-19 alternative participant in late December, Highsmith then signed two 10-day contracts with the workforce earlier than Miami used the ultimate spot on its 15-man roster to signal him for the remainder of the season in March. Highsmith, who went undrafted out of Wheeling College in 2018, performed in simply 5 NBA video games throughout his profession earlier than showing in 19 regular-season video games with the Warmth this season. He totaled 43 factors on 16-of-46 (34.8 %) taking pictures from the sphere and 9-of-28 (32.1 %) taking pictures on threes, 26 rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks in 163 minutes with the Warmth this common season. Within the G League this season, Highsmith averaged 13.6 factors whereas taking pictures 49.4 % from the sphere and 39.3 % from three-point vary, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and one block in 17 video games with the Delaware Blue Coats. As a part of the Warmth’s developmental plan for Highsmith, he instructed the Miami Herald that the work has been centered on “protection and taking pictures threes” to resemble “somewhat little bit of P.J. Tucker.” It looks as if that is all main as much as Highsmith having a possibility for a giant function on the Warmth’s summer time league workforce as he works to show he deserves a spot on the 15-man roster subsequent season.

KYLE LOWRY, guard

▪ Age: Turned 36 on March 25.

▪ Contract standing: Due $28.3 million subsequent season within the second yr of a three-year, $85 million contract he signed final offseason.

▪ What to know: Lowry made the affect many anticipated him to make in his first season with the Warmth. His capacity to run the offense allowed Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler to search for their very own photographs extra usually. Lowry’s hit-ahead passes, capacity to make pull-up jumpers and protection additionally made the Warmth higher. Lowry averaged 13.4 factors whereas taking pictures 44 % from the sphere and 37.7 % on threes, 4.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.1 steals this common season. The Warmth was additionally 2.5 factors per 100 possessions higher when Lowry was on the court docket. The issue was that he missed 19 regular-season video games, largely due to private causes. Then Lowry strained his left hamstring early within the postseason and that pressured him to take a seat out eight playoff video games. When Lowry did return within the East finals, he clearly wasn’t himself as he averaged 9.4 factors on 28.6 % taking pictures from the sphere and 26.7 % taking pictures on threes. With Lowry turning 37 in the course of subsequent season, his greatest days are very possible behind him. However he proved this season that he can nonetheless assist raise the Warmth to the next degree. Lowry simply must discover a technique to be out there when it issues most — the playoffs.

CALEB MARTIN, ahead

▪ Age: Turns 27 on Sept. 28.

▪ Contract standing: Will turn out to be a restricted free agent this offseason, so long as the Warmth extends a $2.1 million qualifying provide to Martin forward of free company. As a restricted free agent, Miami may have the best to match outdoors provides as much as the $10.3 million mid-level exception to retain Martin.

▪ What to know: In some way the Warmth was in a position so as to add Martin by signing him to a two-way contract final offseason. Martin shortly turned the NBA’s greatest two-way contract participant, together with his mix of athleticism and dimension making him a flexible weapon on each ends of the court docket. To verify he was eligible for the playoffs, the Warmth transformed Martin’s two-way contract into a regular deal in February. Martin averaged career-highs in factors (9.2) and rebounds (3.8) this common season whereas taking pictures a career-best 50.7 % from the sphere and elevating his three-point proportion from final season’s 24.8 % to 41.3 % in his first season with the Warmth. Accidents slowed Martin towards the top of the season, however he was nonetheless a part of the rotation for a lot of the playoffs. One factor is for positive, Martin received’t must accept a two-way contract this offseason. As a result of the Warmth doesn’t maintain Martin’s Chook rights and doesn’t have cap area, Miami has restricted assets if it chooses to re-sign him. The Warmth can carry him again utilizing the non-Chook exception with a beginning wage of as much as $2.2 million or the $4.1 million bi-annual exception, however extra possible would wish to show to both the $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception or $10.3 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to maintain him based mostly on the kind of provides he’s anticipated to obtain on the free agent market.

MARKIEFF MORRIS, ahead

▪ Age: Turns 33 on Sept. 2.

▪ Contract standing: Will turn out to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Warmth doesn’t maintain Morris’ Chook rights, which limits the assets it has to resign him.

▪ What to know: After signing a one-year minimal deal to hitch the Warmth final offseason, the idea was that Morris would carry one other veteran presence to the rotation. Morris began the yr within the rotation, however a shove within the again from NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in early November derailed his season. Morris went on to overlook the following 58 video games due to the results from the shove and by no means was in a position to regain his spot within the rotation when he lastly made his return in March. He performed a complete of simply three minutes within the playoffs. It become a misplaced season for Morris, and he could need to once more accept a minimal contract or one thing near it this offseason due to that. Whether or not the Warmth is the workforce that indicators him to such a deal this summer time stays up within the air.

MYCHAL MULDER, guard

▪ Age: Turns 28 on June 12.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth holds a workforce choice for Mulder’s two-way contract for subsequent season.

▪ What to know: Mulder is a well-recognized face. He took half in coaching camp and appeared in two preseason video games with the Warmth earlier than being waived previous to the beginning of the 2019-20 common season. Mulder discovered his approach again to the Warmth after impressing as a member of the Warmth’s G League affiliate this season, incomes a two-way contract from Miami in March. Three-point taking pictures is considered as Mulder’s most intriguing ability, as he has shot a formidable 38.7 % on 7.1 three-point makes an attempt per sport in 4 G League seasons. He’ll spend the offseason within the Warmth’s developmental program and is anticipated to have an opportunity to show himself in summer time league with the hope of ultimately turning into the group’s subsequent undrafted success story.

VICTOR OLADIPO, guard

▪ Age: Turned 30 on Might 4.

▪ Contract standing: Will turn out to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Warmth has Oladipo’s Chook rights, so it could exceed the wage cap to re-sign him as much as his most wage.

▪ What to know: Oladipo didn’t make his season debut till March 7 following an 11-month restoration from surgical procedure to restore the quadriceps tendon in his proper knee. As anticipated, discovering a job for Oladipo that late within the season was not straightforward. So he ultimately fell out of the Warmth’s rotation and commenced the postseason out of the rotation. But it surely didn’t take lengthy for Oladipo to start incomes constant playoff minutes, as he logged double-digit minutes in every of the Warmth’s closing 15 playoff video games as a reserve. Oladipo was removed from good as he labored to search out his rhythm after lacking a lot of the season, however he did sufficient to contribute on each ends. He averaged 10.6 factors whereas taking pictures 36.8 % from the sphere and 27.4 % on threes, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per sport this postseason. After spending the previous few offseasons rehabbing his knee harm, a full summer time to work on his sport and conditioning ought to assist him. With Oladipo’s Chook rights, the Warmth has no restrictions on what it could provide Oladipo as much as his most wage regardless of being over the cap. However there will likely be a line Miami doesn’t need to cross because it seems to keep away from an enormous luxurious tax invoice. Whether or not Oladipo returns to the Warmth subsequent season will possible depend upon the skin provides he receives on the free agent market.

DUNCAN ROBINSON, ahead

▪ Age: Turned 28 on April 22.

▪ Contract standing: Due $16.9 million subsequent season within the second yr of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed final offseason.

▪ What to know: Robinson began 67 video games this season earlier than Max Strus changed him within the beginning lineup in late March. Robinson then went from enjoying a constant function off the bench to being fully out of the rotation within the playoffs and ultimately enjoying an inconsistent function off the bench within the East finals. Although Robinson’s three-point proportion dipped to 37.2 % this common season after making greater than 40 % of his threes within the earlier two seasons, he’s nonetheless thought of an elite outdoors shooter. However protection continues to be a difficulty for Robinson, as groups hunted him repeatedly on that finish. Robinson’s three-point taking pictures remains to be helpful for the Warmth, particularly since its two greatest gamers should not identified for his or her outdoors taking pictures. However the truth that Robinson is the fourth-highest paid participant on the roster and should not even be a starter or within the rotation subsequent season based mostly on the way in which this season ended makes this case value monitoring. Will the Warmth look to deal Robinson to get his wage off the books?

JAVONTE SMART, guard

▪ Age: Turned 23 on June 3.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth holds a workforce choice for Good’s two-way contract for subsequent season.

▪ What to know: Like Mulder, Good is a well-recognized face. Good spent summer time league and coaching camp with the Warmth final offseason. He was waived by Miami simply earlier than the beginning of the 2021-22 common season, however went on to earn a two-way contract from the Warmth in February after some high-scoring performances for the group’s G League affiliate. Good averaged 21.1 factors per sport on 41.8 % taking pictures from the sphere and 32 % taking pictures on threes in 25 G League video games this season. Subsequent up for Good is a full offseason within the Warmth’s developmental program and certain one other summer time league alternative to show he deserves to stay round for subsequent season.

MAX STRUS, wing

▪ Age: Turned 26 on March 28.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth has till June 29 to determine on the $1.8 million workforce choice in Strus’ contract for subsequent season.

▪ What to know: Contemplating Strus moved into the beginning lineup rather than Duncan Robinson with just a few weeks left within the common season and was a starter all through the playoff run, it’s apparent that the Warmth will train the choice in Strus’ contract for subsequent season at such a team-friendly wage. Strus averaged profession highs in factors (10.6), rebounds (3), assists (1.4) and minutes (23.3) whereas taking pictures a career-best 41 % on 6.5 three-point makes an attempt per sport this common season. He was considered one of solely six NBA gamers to shoot 41 % or higher on at the least six three-point makes an attempt per sport, together with Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, Memphis’ Desmond Bane, Chicago’s Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles’ Luke Kennard and Brooklyn’s Joe Harris. Strus’ numbers weren’t as spectacular within the playoffs, as he averaged 10.9 factors whereas taking pictures 37.4 % from the sphere and 33.2 % from three-point vary. However whereas Strus is called an outdoor shooter, what units him other than three-point specialists is he’s athletic and expert sufficient to additionally play contained in the arc and he’s a succesful defender. The actual query right here is: Will Strus once more be a full-time starter subsequent season?

P.J. TUCKER, ahead

▪ Age: Turned 37 on Might 5.

▪ Contract standing: Holds a $7.4 million participant choice for subsequent season in his contract with the Warmth. Tucker has a June 29 deadline to determine on the choice.

▪ What to know: Since dropping ahead Jae Crowder in free company in the course of the 2020 offseason, the Warmth has been searching for a alternative with an analogous ability set to suit alongside middle Bam Adebayo within the beginning frontcourt. Tucker proved to be that and extra this season, as he helped area the ground together with his environment friendly three-point shot from the corners, shocked together with his ball-handling and passing and served as one other high quality versatile defender together with his 6-5 and 245-pound body. Tucker averaged 7.6 factors on 41.5 % taking pictures from three-point vary, 5.5 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists in 71 regular-season video games (70 begins). Within the playoffs, Tucker shot 45.1 % from deep and was used as the first defender on Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden. Contemplating that Tucker was a starter who helped lead the Warmth to the East finals, he most likely believes he deserves a wage increased than his $7.4 million participant choice for subsequent season and he’s most likely proper. However whether or not Tucker truly opts out of his contract at 37 years outdated and negotiates with the Warmth for extra money and years and even considers outdoors provides remains to be to be decided. The Warmth doesn’t have Tucker’s Chook rights and cap area isn’t an choice, however can use the non-Chook exception to supply Tucker a contract with a beginning wage of as much as $8.4 million that may be from one to 4 seasons lengthy. After all, the Warmth additionally has the $10.3 million mid-level exception that it could use to carry again Tucker.

GABE VINCENT, guard

▪ Age: Turns 26 on June 14.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth has till June 29 to determine on the $1.8 million workforce choice in Vincent’s contract for subsequent season.

▪ What to know: Start line guard Kyle Lowry missed plenty of time this season for numerous causes and Vincent proved to be a really succesful fill-in. Vincent averaged career-highs in factors (8.7), rebounds (1.9), assists (3.1) and minutes (23.4) whereas taking pictures career-bests from the sphere (41.7 %) and three-point vary (36.8) this common season. The Warmth posted a 24-11 report within the video games that Vincent began this season, together with the eight playoff begins he made rather than Lowry. Vincent has improved as a degree guard who will be relied on to run the offense but in addition can play off the ball when wanted. He can area the ground together with his strong three-point stroke and has developed right into a pesky perimeter defender. Like Strus, the Warmth’s offseason determination to train the choice in Vincent’s contract for subsequent season at such a team-friendly wage will likely be a straightforward one.

OMER YURTSEVEN, middle

▪ Age: Turns 24 on June 19.

▪ Contract standing: The Warmth has till June 29 to determine on the $1.8 million workforce choice in Yurtseven’s contract for subsequent season.

▪ What to know: Yurtseven has shortly become one of many Warmth’s most intriguing developmental prospects. He earned a spot on the 15-man roster this season together with his dominant summer time league show final yr. Then Yurtseven didn’t disappoint when beginning middle Bam Adebayo was pressured to overlook seven weeks in the course of the season due to thumb surgical procedure. Yurtseven strung collectively 14 consecutive video games with double-digit rebounds earlier than Adebayo returned in January, which is the longest such streak by a rookie in Warmth historical past and stands alone because the second-longest total streak in workforce historical past behind solely Hassan Whiteside’s string of 19 consecutive video games in 2017. Yurtseven additionally grabbed at the least 12 rebounds in 11 straight video games whereas Adebayo was out, which is the longest such streak in Warmth historical past. As soon as Adebayo returned, Yurtseven dropped out of the rotation and spent the remainder of the season watching most video games from the bench. However even in his restricted enjoying time, Yurtseven confirmed elite rebounding expertise and the potential to be an above common scorer on the place, whereas his protection continues to be a piece in progress. If Turkish nationwide workforce commitments don’t get in the way in which, Yurtseven’s plan is to once more symbolize the Warmth in summer time league as he continues to work towards extra constant enjoying time within the NBA. The expectation is the Warmth’s determination to train the workforce choice in Yurtseven’s contract for subsequent season will likely be a straightforward one.