Fansided

Miami Heat trade Zoran Dragic to Boston Celtics for future pick

By Kyle Franzoni

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat guard Zoran Dragic (12) dunks the ball past the block attempt of Philadelphia 76ers forward Thomas Robinson (41) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Heat won 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat guard Zoran Dragic (12) dunks the ball past the block attempt of Philadelphia 76ers forward Thomas Robinson (41) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Heat won 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Heat continue to shed salary, trading guard Zoran Dragic and a 2nd round draft pick to the Boston Celtics for a protected 2nd round pick.

The Miami Heat are in full payroll purge, using the NBA offseason to pare down salary and get under the cap. After dealing Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic for a heavily protected second round pick in 2016, Miami struck a similar deal with the Boston Celtics on Monday, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.

Zoran Dragic was used sparingly in first season in the NBA, with the 26-year-old appearing in just 16 games and netting a total of 25 minutes between the Suns and the Heat. In that time, he totaled just 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while shooting just 36.7% from the field. However, Dragic has been playing well in the NBA Summer League, averaging 12.3 points per game.

In return, the Heat will acquire a heavily-protected 2nd round pick from the Boston Celtics, which Winderman is reporting will be in the 2020 draft.

The trade of Zoran Dragic to Boston is another in a series of moves by the Heat as they try to avoid the salary cap tax in 2015-16. Dragic, who was acquired along with his brother from the Phoenix Suns last season, was due to $1.706 million next season (including signing bonus), but the trade will save them $6 million overall including his 2016-17 salary and potential cap tax.

In addition to Napier and Dragic, the Heat are still said to be shopping Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen. Chalmers will have a $4.3 million base salary in 2015-16, the last year of his deal with Miami. A 7-year veteran, Chalmers has spent his entire career with Miami, where he’s averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 assists over 27.8 minutes per night.

Andersen is also in the final year of his deal with Miami and is due $5 million next season. The heavily-tatted forward appeared in 60 games with the Heat last season, averaging 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over 18.9 minutes per night.

The maneuvering of money by Miami is a dual purpose venture. The team is hoping to avoid paying any tax by going over the salary cap, but it is also hoping to clear up some salary for promising 2nd round pick, Josh Richardson. Richardson has impressed Heat brass during the NBA Summer League and the team is looking to make an offer to him, but cannot do so until it clears roster and salary space.

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