Erik Spoelstra: “Miami Heat still have 2 big decisions before the NBA trade deadline”

The Miami Heat have already made a significant move before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but that doesn’t indicate the end of their actions.

Despite acquiring Terry Rozier in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a first-round pick, the Heat could still explore additional adjustments to the roster. This includes evaluating Caleb Martin and another lesser-known player on the fringe of the roster.

Beginning with Martin, his impact on the team and crucial role in the previous year’s Finals journey are undeniable. Among the successful player development stories in Miami, Martin’s progress stands out as one of the most exceptional.

The reality is that the Heat may struggle to retain him due to financial constraints. Martin holds a $7.1 million player option for the next season, and all signs suggest he will opt out to explore better long-term financial opportunities on the market. If this scenario unfolds, the Heat will find it challenging to re-sign him without exceeding the punitive luxury tax threshold.

Consequently, the Heat are faced with a dilemma: Should they retain Martin for the rest of the season, even though his departure without compensation seems increasingly likely, or should they trade him for a valuable player under a team-friendly contract that extends through at least the following season?

Last season, the Heat encountered a similar decision-making process with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. Ultimately, they chose to retain them, and both players made significant contributions to Miami’s unexpected journey to the Finals. Therefore, losing them without any return doesn’t seem as detrimental when considering their impact on the team.

The situation with the Martin decision remains similar, but the Heat will face more constraints in retaining their own free agents this summer compared to when Vincent and Strus were on the market.

Still, trading Martin is a complex choice for the Heat. Despite their aim to compete for a spot in the Finals, Martin holds significant value as one of Miami’s key players. He has been overcoming early-season injuries and showing improvement, currently averaging a career-best 10.4 points and shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. He is a regular feature in Miami’s crucial lineups.

Nevertheless, the rise of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Haywood Highsmith creates a situation where Martin may be more dispensable than he was in the previous season. If there’s an opportunity to enhance roster balance by acquiring a player under a team-friendly contract for at least the next season, the Heat must weigh their options.

For instance, consider a scenario where the Sacramento Kings propose a trade involving Davion Mitchell for Martin. Mitchell, entering his third year, is locked in for the next season and will be a restricted free agent the following year. Although he is still developing offensively, his prowess in defense and ball-handling could benefit the Heat.

Alternatively, turning Martin into a floor-spacing big like Jalen Smith, who has diminished importance in Indiana’s rotation with the addition of Pascal Siakam, is another option.

Would these players contribute more to the Heat than Martin currently does? Probably not. However, they offer potential for development and could become impactful in the upcoming seasons, unlike Martin who may not have the same upside.

Moving on to Dru Smith’s situation, who has been sidelined since November 22 due to a right knee sprain in Cleveland. Due to the injury timing, the Heat are not permitted to release Smith, but they have the option to trade him. With Smith out for the season and the team’s reluctance to fill their 15th roster spot, the Heat have been operating with 13 players on the roster along with three players on two-way contracts. Trading Smith would create an opening for a contributor to join the team immediately.

The Heat still have around  7 million cash available to offer another team exchange. in savings for the Heat considering the luxury tax implications, free up a roster spot, and enable them to sign a player who has been bought out of his current contract.

Given their proximity to the luxury tax threshold, the Heat are restricted from signing a bought-out player whose previous contract exceeded $12.4 million for the season. Therefore, players like Gordon Hayward, Doug McDermott, and Joe Harris are excluded from consideration.

Nonetheless, if players such as Alec Burks, Delon Wright, Danilo Gallinari, or Cedi Osman become available through buyouts, the Heat could potentially sign them.

By executing these maneuvers, the Heat could potentially convert Caleb Martin and Dru Smith into Davion Mitchell and Danilo Gallinari, or Jalen Smith and Delon Wright by the time they resume after the All-Star break. The question arises whether this roster would be superior and more well-rounded than the current one the Heat have.

Ultimately, the Heat are not obligated to take any action, but these are the strategic choices that the team’s front office must contemplate before the impending deadline.