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Q: Since Miami Heat are once again in win-now mode because of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, why not forget the tax-apron penalties and go for broke (no pun intended)? Why not lure LeBron James back to Miami to close out his Hall Of Fame career? – Rodney.
A: Had been downplaying this, since it initially seemed improbable that the Lakers would allow LeBron James to walk or that if he did walk, LeBron would make it full circle to Cleveland. But now there does appear to be a basic and workable mechanism available for a Miami return – a sign-and-trade involving the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins. If Andrew opts into his $30.2 million player option, he could be sent out, with LeBron replacing him at or close to that figure. If Andrew opts out, he potentially still could be enticed into a double sign-and-trade, going to the Lakers, with LeBron landing in Miami. In Wiggins, the Lakers would get a player almost a decade younger than LeBron at only 60% the cost of what LeBron earned last year with the Lakers. Now, would the Lakers want Wiggins? That could be what such a potential transaction could come down to. But there would be ample logic in Wiggins for LeBron. And there is nothing regarding the luxury-tax aprons that would get in the way. But also, oh the irony, with the Cavaliers trading Wiggins’ draft rights upon LeBron’s Cleveland return, in order to add Kevin Love.
Q: The Heat had to have been aware the trade would hard cap them at the first apron, so why allow it? Why take Bobby Portis or why not send out Nikola Jovic? Milwaukee got every pick and every player already. Seems like the Heat just accepted whatever terms the Bucks wanted. – Chadwick, Lake Worth.
A: Correct. Desperate times call for desperate measures. But remember, two elements of the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal hard-capped the Heat: Utilizing a trade exception from a previous cap calendar (Duncan Robinson’s) to take in Portis, and taking in more in salary than sent out in acquiring Giannis. And while Nikola Jovic, at $16.2 million next season, could have balanced the trade, there also are three additional seasons, at $46.2 million remaining on that extension. So putting aside the Portis element, the Heat were boxed into a corner by the Bucks.
Q: You were right Ira, pause, I’ll admit it. Despite the hurt of losing our young players; getting a superstar feels different. Question: Nikola Jovic and Davion Mitchell account for $28 million in cap space; Why shouldn’t we trade them to keep and add some reliable cheap vets? We have a chance. – Joe.
A: As stated above, at this point, Nikola Jovic, especially with those four years left on his contract, would be considered a negative asset, with sweeteners needed to be attached in a deal. Guess what? The Heat do not have much in the way of sweeteners after the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. As for Davion Mitchell, the $12.4 million remaining on his contract for next season might be as good a value deal as the Heat are going to get for a starting point guard.
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A: Had been downplaying this, since it initially seemed improbable that the Lakers would allow LeBron James to walk or that if he did walk, LeBron would make it full circle to Cleveland. But now there does appear to be a basic and workable mechanism available for a Miami return – a sign-and-trade involving the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins. If Andrew opts into his $30.2 million player option, he could be sent out, with LeBron replacing him at or close to that figure. If Andrew opts out, he potentially still could be enticed into a double sign-and-trade, going to the Lakers, with LeBron landing in Miami. In Wiggins, the Lakers would get a player almost a decade younger than LeBron at only 60% the cost of what LeBron earned last year with the Lakers. Now, would the Lakers want Wiggins? That could be what such a potential transaction could come down to. But there would be ample logic in Wiggins for LeBron. And there is nothing regarding the luxury-tax aprons that would get in the way. But also, oh the irony, with the Cavaliers trading Wiggins’ draft rights upon LeBron’s Cleveland return, in order to add Kevin Love.
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Q: The Heat had to have been aware the trade would hard cap them at the first apron, so why allow it? Why take Bobby Portis or why not send out Nikola Jovic? Milwaukee got every pick and every player already. Seems like the Heat just accepted whatever terms the Bucks wanted. – Chadwick, Lake Worth.
A: Correct. Desperate times call for desperate measures. But remember, two elements of the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal hard-capped the Heat: Utilizing a trade exception from a previous cap calendar (Duncan Robinson’s) to take in Portis, and taking in more in salary than sent out in acquiring Giannis. And while Nikola Jovic, at $16.2 million next season, could have balanced the trade, there also are three additional seasons, at $46.2 million remaining on that extension. So putting aside the Portis element, the Heat were boxed into a corner by the Bucks.
Q: You were right Ira, pause, I’ll admit it. Despite the hurt of losing our young players; getting a superstar feels different. Question: Nikola Jovic and Davion Mitchell account for $28 million in cap space; Why shouldn’t we trade them to keep and add some reliable cheap vets? We have a chance. – Joe.
A: As stated above, at this point, Nikola Jovic, especially with those four years left on his contract, would be considered a negative asset, with sweeteners needed to be attached in a deal. Guess what? The Heat do not have much in the way of sweeteners after the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. As for Davion Mitchell, the $12.4 million remaining on his contract for next season might be as good a value deal as the Heat are going to get for a starting point guard.
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