It is pretty clear that the Miami Heat have some terrific players, but there is a serious determination that will need to happen this season if they want to make it to the Finals for the 2016 season. The roster is actually looking pretty well-stacked, in fact, it might be too well-stacked. This is what we know about NBA Trade Rumors with the Miami Heat.
According to Palm Beach Post, the Miami Heat must pare down roster in the next two months. This was different from last year, when they were scraping to fill the team, now there is a surplus with 18 players for 15 spots. We already know that Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Goran Dragic will be returning next year, and new player Justise Winslow has also been drafted.
The one player who could be up in the air is Mario Chalmers, who would probably be backing up Dragic next year. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat are "intent on trying to purge the final year of his contract; his $4.3 million salary could result in a tax bill three times that amount, depending on the Heat's final payroll number". Will it be time to move him?
It sounds like the Heat are in some trouble when it comes to taxes, so Chalmers could be going. There is a lot to like about this player as he saw an average of 29.6 minutes per game and responded with 10.2 points and 3.8 assists on average while shooting 40 percent from the floor.
Another player who could be in doubt is Chris Anderson. He has been one of the best reserves in the NBA and can still provide quite a defense at 37 years old. Again, this is about salary and luxury taxes for this player. There has been a recent report that the Heat is "not actively trying to trade Chris Anderson".
When it comes to guard Josh Richardson, he was selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft. According to ESPN, the Heat currently have 17 players under contract, so three will have to be waived in order to open up the 15th regular season roster spot. The three players that are on the roster bubble include James Ennis, Tyler Johnson, and Henry Walker, who have salaries for the coming season that are not fully guaranteed.
James Ennis could lose his spot as soon as August 1st if he does not learn to play better, according to a separate report from ESPN. If Ennis is waived on or before that date, he will earn 50 percent salary protection for the upcoming season.
The good news is that Tyler Johnson, the Heat guard who recently broke his jaw during an on-court collision during the Orlando Summer League play, should be able to make a full recovery by training camp. Johnson does not have any guaranteed contract, so he will definitely have to play well during camp to stay with the Heat, according to CBS Sports.
Things have been moving fast with the NBA, so players for the Heat could be changing at a moment's notice, and we will do our best to keep you informed.
