In a report by NBA insider Ethan Skolnick, he revealed a huge problem for the Miami Heat. The franchise, which is usually ahead of the game, currently has a lack of understanding of the new CBA which could be why they have yet to make any significant moves.
“But this is the grand point, okay, that I think has to be resolved here in the NBA,” Skolnick said regarding the new CBA. “It appears that a lot of agents do not understand the new CBA. And I’ve been told by people inside the Heat that really only one person on their side understands it, okay? Like one person in the league, and it happens to be Andy Elisburg.”
The new CBA is extremely limiting for teams with multiple NBA stars. After giving out two max contracts, teams essentially give themselves a financial handicap for any moves going forward. Over the span of a few weeks this summer, various teams let their stars go for the sake of weakening their financial burden. Instead, it’s ideal to build around one star and use the remaining money to fill out a solid rotation around him.
While other teams have started to catch on and adapt to the new team-building model, the Heat haven’t really done anything to improve their standing one way or another. Besides re-signing Kevin Love to a two-year, $8 million deal, the Heat have taken almost no action and fans are getting desperate for some kind of change after losing in the first round to the Boston Celtics.
Only having one person who understands the salary cap is just a bad look for the Heat and it suggests that they are falling behind in terms of team-building strategies. But with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo still on the roster, they need to get their act together quickly or things could take a nasty turn.
Miami Heat Could Pursue Lauri Markkanen
The Heat finished 8th in the East last season with a 46-36 record overall. With Butler, Bam, and Erik Spoelstra they were hoping to make a run to the Finals like they did last year. Sadly, they just didn’t have enough to challenge the Celtics, especially not when Butler got hurt.
Their chances for making a deal this summer are still relatively slim, but it’s known that the Heat are at least considering a run for All-Star big man Lauri Markkanen. They are among several teams interested in a potential deal.
“Trading Lauri Markkanen would buy Utah a one-way ticket toward the front of the tank line, and Markkanen indeed stands as perhaps the league’s most intriguing trade chip with Mikal Bridges now in New York,” Zach Lowe wrote. “A pile of teams have shown interest in him, including the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and [Golden State] Warriors.”
Lauri, 27, is a 7-year NBA veteran and 1x All-Star. The 7’0″ big man averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game for the Jazz last season. and while he wasn’t initially thought to be available, it seems the Jazz could be taking offers as they mull a rebuild.
Lauri may not make the Heta favorites in the East but it would at least dispel the rumors of ineptitude in the front office, who have failed to match pace with the rest of the East. It remains to be seen if they have any more tricks up their sleeve this summer but it will take a miracle for them to make a blockbuster acquisition this late into the summer.
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