What Does Antetokounmpo’s Addition Mean for the Heat?
Miami got their man, but not at a huge cost. Granted, the Heat did have to give up their young core and are only left with four first-round selections and one second-round pick from 2027 to 2033.
Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will now be the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. But the trade leaves the Heat with four or five open roster spots and some forthcoming decisions. Andrew Wiggins has a $30 million player option, which he will surely exercise, that he needs to decide by June 29.
Wiggins may decide to decline the option and work out a multi-year deal. Jahmir Young ($2.4 million) and Pelle Larsson($2.29 million) have club options. Larsson showed improvement in year two and will definitely return, though Young’s status is up in the air.
Let’s assume Wiggins opts in, and Young is also retained. That would mean the Heat’s player obligations would be about $191.93 million for the 10 players. So, not only did the trade cost the Heat most of the rest of their future assets, but it also increased their payroll by about $36 million. While the Heat traded away their first-round pick this year, they do still have their second-round selection.
The $191.93 million payroll would put Miami $9 million below the luxury tax threshold. More importantly, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, it means the Heat won’t be able to afford to keep unrestricted free agent Norm Powell, who is likely to receive a huge payday after producing a career season. The Heat would also be about $17 million below the first apron, where they will be hardcapped when the trade goes through.
“Miami now becomes hard-capped at the first apron,” Marks said on SportsCenter early this morning. “They’re limited as far as what they can go out and offer Norman Powell and the deal. And when you look at their backcourt, their backcourt is a little bit depleted here. They need a little bit more front court help.”
With Powell unlikely to return, Miami’s biggest need will be shooting. And NBA Marc Stein believes that the Heat could dangle Nikola Jovic in a trade to help accomplish the feat.
