The Miami Heat made some moves this season that might have been questionable to some based on the return they got. Most notably, they dealt Mario Chalmers, Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen and Shabazz Napier within the last year with one goal in mind. Getting under the luxury tax line.
While the future of the 2015-16 season for the Heat is very much up in the air with the health of Chris Bosh very questionable at this point it does seem like Miami has a plan for their future beyond this season.
They want to stay under the tax line to avoid paying repeater tax money so they can chase some top talent in the summer of 2016 and 2017.
Following from Couper Moorhead of Heat.com.
What may seem like confusing individual moves to trade away veterans like Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen or young players like Shabazz Napier, James Ennis and Jarnell Stokes are really all attached to the same string – one tied to the goal of opportunity and flexibility.
“You’ve got to really see the big picture in where you are,” Riley said. “From 2014 to this point, once LeBron left, we had some decisions to make. We had always been looking at 2016 and 2017. Just like back in 2006 we looked at 2010. That’s where our mind is. We want tremendous flexibility. We don’t want to be constrained by any repeater tax.
“2016 and 2017 have become the new 2010.”
These players leaving the Heat will not affect their win-loss record and it could change their locker room chemistry but in the long run, no one is going to remember the Heat career of Jarnell Stokes, James Ennis or Shabazz Napier.
Moving these pieces around to possibly chase after top free agents in 2016 or 2017 like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Al Horford, DeMar DeRozan, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry or even LeBron James allows Miami to be flexible in any star chase they might have.
