Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Notes: Wade, Haslem, Offseason, Bosh

September 17th, 2016 at 12:03pm CST by Luke Adams

For the first time since 2003, Dwyane Wade will begin training camp this month with a team besides the Heat. Asked what he’ll miss the most now that he’s no longer playing in Miami, Wade said that he’ll miss longtime teammate Udonis Haslem, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter). Like Wade, Haslem joined the franchise for the 2003/04 season and has been in South Beach ever since — of course, unlike Wade, Haslem re-signed with the Heat this summer.

Here’s more out of Miami:

As Bobby Marks of The Vertical details in his rundown of the Heat’s offseason, the team was forced to use nearly $20MM in cap room during a tight window after losing Wade in early July, since that space wouldn’t have been available if the team had matched Tyler Johnson‘s offer sheet first. The result? A handful of short-term deals that essentially serve as placeholders while the club retools.
Within a mailbag this week for the Sun Sentinel, Winderman discusses the short- and long-term outlooks for Chris Bosh and Haslem, who may have coaching in his future. Winderman also tackled more Bosh-related concerns and addressed LeBron James‘ lingering influence in Miami in a separate mailbag.
In another Sun Sentinel piece, Winderman examines the Heat’s current roster and their departed veterans in a player-by-player breakdown.

Traded Second-Round Picks For 2017 NBA Draft

September 16th, 2016 at 1:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA draft is still more than nine months away, but with the start of the regular season fast approaching, it’s worth taking stock of how this season’s results will affect next year’s draft. Depending on how certain teams perform during the 2016/17 campaign, other clubs will have the opportunity to pick up an extra selection or two.

Earlier this week, we looked at the first-round picks that could change hands during the 2017 draft. A few more first-rounders will likely be involved in trades prior to the trade deadline, or leading up to next year’s draft night, but there are already several picks that are ticketed for new teams, depending on where they land.

That’s even more true of the second round — more than half of the league’s second-round picks for 2017 have been involved in trades so far, and while some of those picks will ultimately remain with the sending teams due to protection conditions, many will move to the receiving teams.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the second-round picks that could (or will) change hands. For each selection, we make a note of which team is sending and receiving it, the protection or conditions on the pick, and what will happen if the protection language prevents the pick from being conveyed. For instance, the Heat will send their second-rounder to either the Hawks or Grizzlies, depending on where it lands. The team that doesn’t get a pick from Miami this year will get the Heat’s second-rounder in 2018.

Here are 2017’s traded second-round picks:

Atlanta Hawks

From: Brooklyn Nets
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Cleveland Cavaliers
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Los Angeles Clippers
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Minnesota Timberwolves
Protection: None

Brooklyn Nets

From: Boston Celtics
Conditions: Nets will receive pick (protected 31-45) if Celtics swap first-rounders with Nets.
If not conveyed: Celtics’ obligation to Nets is extinguished.

Brooklyn Nets

From: Indiana Pacers
Protection: 45-60
If not conveyed: Nets will have opportunity to get Pacers’ second-rounder (protected 45-60) in 2018.

Denver Nuggets

From: Memphis Grizzlies
Protection: 31-35
If not conveyed: Nuggets will receive Grizzlies’ 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Denver Nuggets

From: Oklahoma City Thunder
Protection: 31-35
If not conveyed: Nuggets will receive Thunder’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Houston Rockets

From: Denver Nuggets
Protection: None

Houston Rockets

From: Portland Trail Blazers
Protection: None

Memphis Grizzlies

From: Miami Heat
Protection: 41-60
If not conveyed: Grizzlies will receive Heat’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

New York Knicks

From: Chicago Bulls
Protection: None

New York Knicks

From: Houston Rockets
Protection: None

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Miami Heat
Protection: 31-40
If not conveyed: Sixers will receive Heat’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Two of Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.
Conditions: Sixers will receive the most and least favorable of these four picks.

Phoenix Suns

From: Toronto Raptors
Protection: None

Sacramento Kings

From: Philadelphia 76ers
Protection: None

Utah Jazz

From: Two of Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.
Conditions: Jazz will receive the second- and third-most favorable of these four picks, including their own.

The following teams technically acquired second-round draft picks via trade and could receive those selections in 2017. However, these picks are heavily protected and won’t be conveyed to the receiving team unless the sending team finishes with a top-five record in the NBA. If that doesn’t happen, the receiving team is out of luck. The details:

Atlanta Hawks

From: Phoenix Suns
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Suns’ obligation to Hawks is extinguished.

Cleveland Cavaliers

From: Charlotte Hornets
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Hornets’ obligation to Cavaliers is extinguished.

Minnesota Timberwolves

From: New Orleans Pelicans
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Pelicans’ obligation to Timberwolves is extinguished.

Orlando Magic

From: Sacramento Kings
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Kings’ obligation to Magic is extinguished.

San Antonio Spurs

From: Atlanta Hawks
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Hawks’ obligation to Spurs is extinguished.

Finally, there is one team with swap rights on a second-round pick in 2017. The details:

Philadelphia 76ers

Can swap with: Atlanta Hawks
Protection: Sixers won’t have chance to swap if Hawks’ pick falls in the 56-60 range.
Details: The Sixers will have the ability to swap the worst of the Pistons/Warriors/Knicks/Jazz second-round picks for the Hawks’ second-rounder. Practically speaking, this will likely result in Philadelphia swapping the Warriors’ pick for the Hawks’ pick.

RealGM’s database of future traded pick details was used in the creation of this post.

Haslem: Bosh Will Be On His Own Schedule

September 14th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Chris Bosh may be planning to join the Heat in training camp, but veteran teammate Udonis Haslem cautions everyone to be realistic in their expectations, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Bosh has had his last two seasons cut short by blood clots and he hasn’t played competitively since the All-Star break. “Chris’ timetable is just a little bit different than everybody else’s,” Haslem said. “So we have to be mindful. We have to be conscious of the things that are important. And the thing that is most important is that when Chris needs to be ready, that he’s ready.”

Chris Bosh: “I’m Ready To Play”

September 14th, 2016 at 4:06pm CST by Arthur Hill

Chris Bosh has sent the clearest message so far that he intends to play this season, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Appearing today on “Open Run,” a podcast on LeBron James‘ Uninterruped digital media outlet, the All-Star forward expressed confidence that his blood clot issues are under control.

“I’m ready to play,” Bosh said. “We’ve been talking about it for a long time.”

Bosh has missed significant parts of the past two seasons with clotting issues, and concerns about his health have lingered since doctors discovered blood clots in his calf in February. Bosh has suggested that he could play while taking blood thinners, a plan the Heat haven’t fully endorsed despite a recent report that they are warming up to the idea.

In today’s podcast, Bosh referenced NHL player Tomas Fleischmann, who has been able to play with a similar condition. Fleischmann receives anticoagulant injections after each game, and the medication is out of his system in time for the next contest. Bosh and his wife Adrienne contacted Fleischmann for the name of the doctor who set up his treatment, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

“That’s the best part about this — I’m not the first athlete to do this regiment,” Bosh said. “[Fleischmann had the] same problem I actually had the second time [with blood clots]. This is five, six years [ago]. He’s been playing for five years now. And this particular doctor has had the same regiment with other athletes. So this is nothing that is new. It’s not ground breaking. We’re not reinventing the wheel here. It’s pretty standard. It’s been proven. Guys have played on it. Like I said, for anybody to have worries, there are guys playing basketball and hockey and football [with this regiment].”

Bosh has been working out by himself in Los Angeles and has been posting videos on line to show that he’s ready to return to the NBA, including a pair of new ones on Tuesday. Bosh said he definitely plans to join the Heat when training camp opens September 27th in the Bahamas, calling it his “contractual and professional obligation.”

“I have full confidence that, yeah, I’ll be there,” he said. “Will I be cleared? I don’t know. But that’s out of my hands. I will play basketball in the NBA. I’m confident.”

A Heat spokesman declined comment today on any of Bosh’s statements.

Loss Of Richardson Opens Opportunites For Johnson, Waiters, Weber

September 14th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Eddie Scarito

Though the loss of Josh Richardson to start the season is a blow to the Heat‘s continuity, it does open the door for Tyler Johnson or Dion Waiters to step up and seize the starting shooting guard spot, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel opines in response to a reader query. The scribe also notes that it also provides Briante Weber to show that he can be a viable rotation option for the team.

Bosh’s Return Becoming More Likely

September 11th, 2016 at 9:57am CST by Arthur Hill

“Growing optimism” is surrounding Chris Bosh‘s quest to return to the court, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. A source from the players union says there is reason to believe the Heat will clear Bosh to play while taking blood thinners, and Jackson adds that it would be a surprise if Bosh doesn’t receive medical clearance as long as there are no setbacks.

Bosh, who has been sidelined by blood clots during the past two seasons, hasn’t played since the All-Star break in February, when doctors discovered clotting in his leg. He had hoped to return for the playoffs and had considered filing a grievance against the Heat, but he and the team agreed to work things out over the offseason.

Bosh believes he can play while taking a new type of blood thinner that only stays in his system for about eight hours. The Heat have been opposed to that idea, but their stance appears to be softening. Playing contact sports while on blood thinners is considered risky because it creates a possibility of heavy bleeding.

It’s possible that Bosh may be placed on a maintenance program with a reduced workload, such as having a restricted travel schedule or not playing in back-to-back games. Team president Pat Riley mentioned that as a possibility in a July press conference where he promised the Heat would work with Bosh to find a way to get him back on the court.

Bosh was limited to 53 games last season, but averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per night and made the All-Star team for the 11th straight year. He still has three seasons and nearly $75.9MM left on his current contract. The Heat would have an opportunity to take the last two years of that salary off their cap if Bosh goes a full year without playing.

Heat Notes: Richardson, Bosh, Chalmers, Cole

September 10th, 2016 at 6:25pm CST by Arthur Hill

Josh Richardson doesn’t expect any long-term problems from a knee injury that will force him to sit out the preseason, relays the Associated Press. Richardson learned today that he will miss six to eight weeks after partially tearing the MCL in his right knee during a workout Friday. The good news is that doctors don’t believe he will require surgery. Richardson wore a large brace on his leg and walked with the help of crutches as he attended a store opening today in Fort Lauderdale. “When I hit the ground, it was like my knee was on fire,” he said. “I just kind of laid there and my teammates helped me off and carried me off to the training room. I just tried not to think the worst.” The timetable means Richardson could possibly be ready for Miami’s regular season opener Oct. 26 at Orlando.

There’s more tonight out of Miami:

Chris Bosh could become the latest in a long line of Heat players to be put on a maintenance program, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. With training camp nearing, Bosh’s status is still uncertain after blood clots cut short his past two seasons. Miami officials are considering a reduced workload to help Bosh adjust to playing while taking blood thinners. Winderman notes that maintenance programs were also set up for Dwyane Wade, Mike Miller, Dan Majerle and others.
Former Miami point guard Mario Chalmers wasn’t dropping any hints when he posted an online photo of himself working out in Heat shorts, Winderman notes in the same piece. Chalmers, who spent more than seven years in Miami before being traded last November, remains without a team a little more than two weeks before training camp. Winderman suggests the Cavaliers could be a destination for Chalmers or his former Heat teammate Norris Cole.
Little has changed on Bosh’s situation from last season’s playoffs, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Bosh remains convinced that he can play, but the team hasn’t given him medical clearance. Bosh has been working out by himself in Los Angeles while most of his teammates are practicing together in Miami.

Josh Richardson Suffers Knee Injury

September 10th, 2016 at 12:23pm CST by Eddie Scarito

SEPTEMBER 10th: Richardson has been told that he will miss six to eight weeks due to his knee injury, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel relays (via Twitter).

SEPTEMBER 9th: Heat swingman Josh Richardson has suffered a partially torn MCL in his right knee, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (on Twitter). His return time will depend on how well his rehabilitation efforts go, the scribe adds. Based on Charania’s wording, it does not appear that surgery is currently planned for the player. Richardson suffered the injury during practice when he landed awkwardly after a dunk attempt, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweets.

This news is certainly a blow to the Heat, who touted the second-year player as one of their building blocks and defensive leaders. The only consolation for Miami is that the team is deep in the backcourt and were going to have to do some rotation shuffling in order to dole out playing time to the other guards and swingmen on its roster.

Richardson was the No. 40 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and he appeared in 52 games for the Heat in 2015/16. The 22-year-old posted averages of 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per outing. His shooting line on the campaign was .452/.461/.667. His contract for this season, which is fully guaranteed, will pay him $874,636.

Riley: No Offseason Regrets -- "Except For One"

September 8th, 2016 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Heat president Pat Riley is looking forward to training camps getting underway later this month and tells Tom D’Angelo of The Palm Beach Post that he has no regrets about his team’s offseason — well, “except for one.” While Riley admitted that Dwyane Wade‘s departure was disappointing, he’s preparing for the franchise to move on. “I’m excited for our new guys,” Riley said. “Maybe we make a deal or catch lightning in a bottle again next summer (in free agency) like we did in 2010.”
Within his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses the Heat‘s addition of Derrick Williams and examines the odds of the team attempting to trade a guard at some point.

NBA Teams With Full Rosters

September 8th, 2016 at 1:14pm CST by Luke Adams

While NBA teams are limited to carrying 15 players on their regular-season rosters (with a few exceptions), roster limits expand to 20 players during the offseason. The five extra roster slots allow clubs to bring in veterans hopeful of earning a place on the regular-season roster, or young players who may eventually be ticketed for D-League assignments.

Most teams will fill up their 20-man rosters for training camp, but at this point in the NBA offseason, it can be difficult to determine which clubs still have room on their rosters. Many potential camp invitees have reportedly reached agreements with teams, but those signings haven’t yet been officially announced.

By our count, there are currently just two team at the 20-man offseason roster limit. One is the 76ers, who were at the 20-man limit for much of the offseason before waiving Carl Landry and Tibor Pleiss. Since then, they’ve added Elton Brand and Cat Barber, though it appears only 11 of the club’s 20 players have fully guaranteed salaries for 2016/17.

Meanwhile, on their official website, the Nuggets list 14 players who have guaranteed contracts, plus Axel Toupane, JaKarr Sampson, and D.J. Kennedy, who are on non-guaranteed or partially-guaranteed deals. In addition to those 17 players, the team has also reportedly reached agreements with Nate Wolters, Robbie Hummel, and Jarnell Stokes, bringing Denver’s total roster count to 20.

Still, not all of Denver’s signings are official, and even once they are, the Nuggets could easily make room for another player by cutting a non-guaranteed salary from their books. The same can be said for Philadelphia. While their rosters may technically be “full,” it’s not as if the Nuggets and the Sixers don’t have the flexibility to replace a camp invitee with a veteran free agent, if they so choose.

A more productive way of determining which teams’ rosters are “full” at this point in the offseason might be to examine the number of guaranteed salaries on their books. The deadline for teams to stretch the 2016/17 salary of a waived player is now behind us, so any team that cuts a player with a guaranteed salary won’t be able to reduce that cap hit unless the player agrees to a buyout. Most teams are reluctant to add much dead money to their cap with such a move, so if a club has 15 guaranteed contracts on its cap, we can assume its regular-season roster is fairly set, barring a trade or a surprise cut.

Here are the NBA teams that currently have 15 (or more) guaranteed salaries on their roster: