The departure of Markieff Morris, who agreed to a deal with the Nets on Tuesday, means the Heat‘s revolving door at power forward will continue, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Morris and P.J. Tucker, who were free agent additions last summer, both signed elsewhere during the offseason. Winderman notes that Miami has been through eight power forwards since Bam Adebayo became the starting center in 2019/20.
Morris’ departure was virtually assured when Udonis Haslem announced last week that he was returning for a 20th season, Winderman adds. Miami will keep one roster spot open due to luxury tax concerns, so there was no room for Morris once fellow free agents Caleb Martin, Victor Oladipo and Dewayne Dedmon all reached new deals.
Martin, who is expected to replace Tucker as the starting power forward, re-signed with Miami for its full taxpayer mid-level exception and will receive $20.4MM over the next three years. He was reportedly about to get a better offer from a rival team, but he preferred to remain with the Heat. Winderman points out that if Tucker had taken the MLE, Miami’s starting point on a new deal with Martin would have been limited to the $4.1MM bi-annual exception.
There’s more on the Heat:
- Utah’s Bojan Bogdanovic and Atlanta’s John Collins are players to watch if the Heat decide to trade for a power forward, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Jazz haven’t expressed a desire to part with Bogdanovic, but he has a $19.5MM expiring contract and could become expendable if Utah commits to rebuilding. The Hawks have explored the trade market for Collins, but he has an expensive contract that pays him more than $75MM over the next three seasons, along with a $26.6MM player option for 2025/26. Jackson doesn’t believe Miami should give up a first-round pick for either player.
- The Knicks’ extension agreement with RJ Barrett is likely to be similar to what the Heat offer Tyler Herro if he’s not traded, Winderman adds in a separate piece. Herro is eligible for a five-year max extension worth up to $188MM, but Winderman expects his final deal to be more in line with Barrett, whose four-year deal can be worth up to $120MM if he earns several bonuses.
- Suns star Chris Paul supports Haslem’s decision to play another season, per Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report. “You all saw that stuff with Udonis Haslem? Y’all heard everyone talking crazy about him like, ‘Why he on the team? Why he on the team?’ Man, I’m probably his biggest fan,” Paul said to a group of high school players in Los Angeles (video link). “You want to know why? Because young guys need vets. They need somebody like UD showing up every day, if practice at 11:00, he’s probably at the gym at 8:30 every day. To motivate guys. To push guys.”
Still don’t see why Haslem can’t do all that as an assistant coach
I agree, but he’s earned the right to go out on his own terms.
Ira keeps talking about Morris as if it’s a loss, or as if the Heat wanted him back, and it’s actually hilarious. They need help at the 4, preferably someone that can also be an option as a small ball 5, but it was never going to be him
If only they made the trade for Chris Paul when they had the chance…although I’m cool with Lowry as the consolation
Exactly. Morris was not the difference for us. Martin was far more important and the potential continued growth of Yurtseven can have a major impact for us playing in the paint.
Still think the Heat should trade Duncan Robinson and a first for Jonothan Issac.
Issac is 6’11 can play SF or PF and I think at a pinch could play small ball 5 too. Long and athletic, gets rebounds, gets blocks, defends really well, can make three point shots. Off the court he seems really smart and switched on. He is very religious and he also attended high school and college in Florida.
Think he would be great for the Heat.
Lowry Oladipo Butler Issac Adebayo
Strus Herro Martin Jovic Dedmon
Vincent Yurtseven
Was a really big fan of him going into his draft, and at the time I considered him a perfect fit for the Heat, although i knew they had no shot at him ince they finished the season 30-11 and fell to the back of the lottery (the top 3 gettable pieces I wanted were Donovan Mitchell, OG Anunoby if he was healthy, and Bam)…but as I’ve said before, I dont think it makes sense for Orlando to move him, and honestly, i would like to see how he looks health wise before I’d be willing to move assets for him. It would also potentially leave a spacing issue on the wing, depending on who they might sign as a replacement
Good posts here.
As much as we may want certain moves, unless something unforeseen happens, other than maybe some roster tweaking and completion, I think we pretty much know the roster that the Heat sill start the season with. Still one of the best in the East and a legit contender to make the Finals. I think the next possibility for significant moves for the Heat will be at the deadline once they know their position, needs and expendables during the season.
Isaac has great potential and a quite rare, and useful skill-set. If I’m the Magic, I wouldn’t start trade talks without a floor of 2 1sts and salary filler (in this case, Duncan Robinson).
To start talking.
Could replace a 1st for a very promising young player with upside on a rookie contract. Which Miami doesn’t have, as of now.