Q: Ira, Cleveland was second-apron and now they’ve making all kinds of moves. I say it’s time for the Heat to get under the hard cap and get going. What say you? – Tim.
A: Actually, I don’t have to say anything, because this is somewhat apples and oranges. When it comes to being over either of the aprons, there are means to then get below, by shaving salary from the payroll, and then resetting your position against those aprons – as Cleveland did with the Dennis Schroder and Max Strus trades. The hard cap is different. Once you get hard capped, that is it for that cap calendar year. So with their move for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the maneuvering that was required, the Heat are hard capped at the first tax apron for 2026-27 no matter where their payroll stands. That doesn’t mean there isn’t wiggle room, such as the $10 million below the cap where they currently stand. Nor does it mean that more space can’t be created below their hard cap, which can be accomplished by offloading salary. For now, consternation largely is misplaced. The Heat got Giannis Antetokounmpo, that makes this offseason a winning proposition no matter any ancillary moves. And based on the timing of some of this summer’s other moves, it also doesn’t mean the Heat can’t be a considerable player at the Feb. 11 NBA trade deadline.
Q: Typical for the Heat. They procrastinate like teams will wait and let them sign who they want first. – Mo.
A: Or they basically only have a single means to spend above the minimum at this stage and need to maximize it, rather than act in haste. At the moment, the Heat essentially can offer one minimum deal, one deal with most of the remainder of this mid-level exception, and then hold a spot on the standard roster to fill with a prorated portion of the minimum down the road. So act in haste, and a better opportunity potentially could be lost. So procrastination, or prudence?
Q: I can see the Miami Heat turning back the clock on Ben Simmons. – Azli.
A: Could certainly be worth a look if there is a willingness to accept a non-guaranteed, NBA-minimum invitation to camp. But the pathway for non-shooters has gotten considerably more difficult in today’s NBA. And it’s not as if you could hide him in the dunker’s spot, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo also on this roster.