The Miami Heat are unlikely to engage in trade talks involving New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat front office doesn’t consider the perennial All-Star one of their targets on the trade market this off-season, largely because of his huge salary and trade kicker.
No Melo in South Beach
Jackson stressed in his recent article that it's unlikely the Heat will pursue Anthony, as the All-Star’s $25 million per year contract would just eat into a big portion of their cap space. Miami's priority this off-season is to retain the service of Dion Waiters and James Johnson, who both deserve to get a salary above the mid-level exception of $8.2 million.
“One reason is the onerous cap hits. According to cap expert/heathoops.com writer Albert Nahmad, because of an $8.1 million trade kicker, Anthony’s cap hits would be $30.3 million next season and $27.9 million the following if he’s traded before July 1,” Jackson writes.
Anthony, who averaged 22.4 points on 43 percent FG shooting last season, is expected to be available on the trade market this summer, with Knicks president of basketball operations Phil Jackson determined more than ever to unload the star player despite his ability to veto trades.
The Heat are projected to have a cap-space of $33 million to $43 million this summer, depending on their decision on Wayne Ellington’s non-guaranteed contract for next season worth $6.27 million and Josh McRoberts’ $6.02 player option for the 2016/17 season.
Although many expect McRoberts to opt-in, the Heat can still create enough wiggle room by waving the veteran forward via stretch provision.
Rudy Gay a target?
Jackson believes there’s a chance for the Heat to bring in Rudy Gay, who already announced that he will not exercise his player option with the Sacramento Kings for the 2017/18 season.
According to NBA insider, Gay is a more realistic target for Heat president Pat Riley, in case he can't bag Waiters or Johnson. However, the Gay to Miami scenario would only be possible if he doesn’t insist on matching or exceeding the $14M+ salary he’s about to receive next season.
Gay’s decision to opt-out comes as a surprise since he’s just coming off a torn ACL injury.
Nevertheless, teams are expected to line up for him, given the fact that he’s a proven scorer at 18.4 points per game and solid floor-spacer at 37.2 percent 3-point shooting in his career.
Tyler Johnson trade rumors
Once and for all, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel made it clear that Tyler Johnson is untouchable. In his latest column, Winderman finally doused cold water on the rumors surrounding a potential Johnson-for-Enes Kanter swap.
Although the Oklahoma City Thunder are indeed exploring trade options for their big man, the NBA columnist pointed out that any potential swap involving Johnson and Kanter is not financially possible, with the Turk scheduled to earn $17 million next season, while the guard is set to pocket a relatively smaller paycheck of $5 million.
