Much of the conversation this summer has centered around what high-profile player the Miami Heat will add to satisfy LeBron James, Dwyane and Chris Bosh enough into re-signing with the team.
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However, Bleacher Report’s Ethan J. Skolnick is reporting that the Heat will have no cap room if they re-sign their Big Three and will solely have exceptions and minimum contracts to offer free agents.
Nothing I've heard leads me to believe the Heat have $10-12M to spend, as has been reported. More likely they operated as capped team.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 3, 2014
This report contradicts one from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that stated Miami was telling free agents they expected to have $12 million in cap room after re-signing LeBron, Wade and Bosh.
Skolnick’s report would seem to make the most sense at the moment. If LeBron is seeking a maximum contract and Bosh wants $90 million, which are both currently being reported, than it would be nearly impossible for Miami to have $12 million in cap space for another player after taking care of Wade as well.
Also, the recent news that the Heat are pursuing free agent shooting guard Anthony Morrow aligns with the idea that Miami is looking at less expensive players.
Can confirm @ESPNSteinLine report on Heat interest in Morrow. Miami trying to line up some "smaller" deals. Morrow interested in Heat.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 3, 2014
Expect more names in this area in the next few days. as @LeBatardShow has been saying.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 3, 2014
While the Heat would obviously prefer to have had the flexibility to add players such as the recently signed Kyle Lowry and Marcin Gortat, if the Big Three want pay days that don’t give Miami the necessary cap space, the team just has to deal with it.
The Heat are in a position where it needs to do anything it takes to get these three players to re-sign, so whatever they say goes.
In that case, it becomes up to Pat Riley to find quality players on the cheap. The sharp-shooting Morrow isn’t a bad place to start.