Miami Heat

The Miami Heat and sharpshooter Duncan Robinson have agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Per that report, it's the largest deal ever for an undrafted player. It will include an early termination option after Year 4. 

It's been quite the day for the Heat, who are also reportedly bringing Kyle Lowry aboard in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Toronto Raptors that will pay the veteran point guard $90 million over three years:

Alongside that move, star wing Jimmy Butler has reportedly agreed to a max extension that will pay him more than $184 million over four seasons, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

As for Robinson, the 27-year-old has emerged as one of the NBA's best shooters, averaging 13.1 points and 3.5 rebounds this past season while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc (on 8.5 three-point attempts per game). For his career, he's a 42.3 percent shooter from three. 

Not bad for a player who went from being an undrafted free agent to a two-way player for the Heat and eventually a key part of their future. He'll provide critical floor-spacing for the Big Three of Butler, center Bam Adebayo and Lowry. Add in Tyler Herro, and the Heat are trouble.

That group should make Miami a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference, as it looks to unseat the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks alongside the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. A healthy Nets team is the clear favorite, with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving in tow, but the Heat will be a tough out. 

The Miami Heat aren't allowed to begin negotiating a deal with free-agent point guard Kyle Lowry until at least 6 p.m. ET Monday, but they're already shaping up as the favorite to sign him this offseason.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on The Jump that "everything is in place" for Lowry to agree to a contract with Miami, perhaps on the first day of the negotiating period.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Tuesday that New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin "hopes to make a huge offer" to Lowry. New Orleans would sign the 35-year-old with the idea he'd help elevate a young roster much in the same way Chris Paul did with the Phoenix Suns.

Soon, Griffin may need to move on to Plan B.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Dallas Mavericks were similarly optimistic about a Lowry pursuit but have already "shifted [their] focus from Lowry to other free-agent targets."

For now, the Heat remain prohibited from reaching out to Lowry or the Toronto Raptors, but they can still get the gears in motion behind the scenes to expedite any negotiations.

Wojnarowski reported Sunday the franchise "has maneuvered to have two key elements of a possible sign-and-trade package—guard Goran Dragic and forward Precious Achiuwa—to offer the Raptors once talks can ensue."

A sign-and-trade with Toronto is necessary in order to give Lowry a market-level contract because Miami doesn't have the salary-cap space to sign him outright.

Especially after the Milwaukee Bucks' stunning reversal last offseason when they seemed to have a deal in place to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Heat will surely follow all of the necessary guidelines.

But the tenor of the reporting around Miami and Lowry make this feel like a fait accompli.

After nine years, Kyle Lowry's time in Toronto has come to a close.  

The longtime Raptors point guard will reportedly sign a three-year deal with the Miami Heat as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with Toronto, per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the deal is worth "approximately" $90 million.

Lowry later confirmed his agreement with the Heat in a post on his Twitter account:

Lowry, 35, had another solid season for the Raptors, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and a steal per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three. He appeared in just 46 contests, however, as the Raptors struggled through a difficult 27-45 season. 

That was partly a result of the team's displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions between the United States and Canada, forcing Toronto to hold its "home" games in Tampa Bay. The organization was also clearly transitioning to a new era of basketball likely to be built around Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. 

Veterans like Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka signed elsewhere in free agency last summer. Norman Powell was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the trade deadline. And it seemed likely that Lowry would be dealt to a contender as well, giving him the chance to pursue a title. 

But the Raptors didn't find a deal they liked and decided against trading him—a surprise considering Lowry chose to leave the team this summer. 

It's the end of an era, though Lowry will have the opportunity to pursue a title in Miami while the Raptors retool around younger players.

It isn't shocking Lowry ended up in Miami, given his friendship with Jimmy Butler. And he'll be an excellent fit alongside the talented core of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, giving the team a six-time All-Star starting point guard and strong veteran presence. 

Lowry is also an upgrade over Goran Dragic, making his signing a logical move for a Miami team that looks like a title contender with him in the fold. And if the Heat manage to also sign Lowry's friend and longtime teammate, DeMar DeRozan, they'll be a real threat in the East.   

The Miami Heat are "exploring pathways" to reunite Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Heat will pick up the $19.4 million option for Goran Dragic, a move that might help them land Lowry. 

Stein added that Miami is viewed by some as the strongest contender to sign the veteran point guard and that the perception was "only enhanced" by triggering Dragic's option.

Lowry figures to command a high price tag. He's a six-time All-Star and was a key figure on the Toronto Raptors' 2019 championship team. The Phoenix Suns' run to the NBA Finals with Chris Paul also showed how adding a veteran guard can raise a franchise's ceiling. 

Unlike his former teammate, DeRozan may not be in an advantageous position.

The 31-year-old's time in Toronto showed he probably can't be a No. 1 option for a team with title aspirations, and his 28.1 percent career clip on three-pointers raises obvious concerns about how he fits into the offense.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported DeRozan is one of a few experienced scorers whom some think might "forgo higher salary opportunities elsewhere" and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. His willingness to accept a team-friendly deal would presumably apply to situations similar to that of the Lakers.

Even if DeRozan takes a big pay cut from the $27.7 million he earned in 2020-21, making the money work might still be tricky for the Heat. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Miami is declining Andre Iguodala's $15 million option, which would be a way to help facilitate signing him.

There's also the question as to how DeRozan fits into a team that runs a lot of its offense through Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Unless Miami is planning to let Duncan Robinson, a restricted free agent, walk this offseason, his potential place in the rotation isn't immediately clear, either.

During the 2019 offseason, DeAndre Jordan was effectively part of a package deal with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant for the Brooklyn Nets, who already had a promising young center in Jarrett Allen. 

Perhaps the Heat view DeRozan as the one piece that could help them seal the deal with Lowry, and they'll figure out the rest later.

The Miami Heat are the presumptive favorites to land guard Kyle Lowry following the team's decision to accept the club option on Goran Dragic's contract, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein. 

Miami has minimal salary-cap space to operate with in free agency by bringing Dragic back for $19.4 million in 2021-22. Stein believes the Heat will now use that contract as leverage in a sign-and-trade for Lowry that would net the Eastern Conference contenders a third star alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. 

Miami declined to pick up Iguodala's $15 million team option Sunday.

Lowry, 35, is coming off a one-year, $30.5 million deal in Toronto and is considered one of the premier UFA guards available this summer. In 46 games last season the Philadelphia native averaged 17.2 point, 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 43.6 percent from the field. 

Dragic averaged  13.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 50 games while playing 26.7 minutes per night by comparison. Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported Saturday that Dragic would have a number of postseason contenders interested in signing him if the Heat declined his option.

Rather than lose him in free agency, the Heat now have an opportunity to trade Dragic ahead of the season as they look to retool following a first-round sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel believes a deal for Lowry may only consist of Dragic and power forward Precious Achiuwa, who is on a two-year entry level deal that pays him $5.3 million. The No. 20 overall pick in 2020 averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and shot 54.4 percent from the field in 12.1 minutes per night last season. 

That deal assumes Lowry will earn a salary of roughly $26 million next season, which Winderman believes to be within the guard's range. 

Stein also noted the Heat would have interest reuniting Lowry with former Raptors teammate DeMar DeRozan in free agency should it land Toronto's star this offseason. The Spurs guard is expected to reach free agency this week. 

The Miami Heat reportedly have eyes for free agent Kelly Oubre Jr. 

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat "tried to acquire" Oubre in a trade with the Golden State Warriors this past season ahead of the trade deadline and have "interest in him again" as an unrestricted free agent. 

They may miss out again this summer, however, with Jackson adding that "Miami is an unlikely match because he likely will command significantly more than $9.5 million midlevel."

Oubre, 25, appeared in 55 games for the Warriors last season (50 starts), averaging 15.4 points, six rebounds and an assist per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field but a disappointing 31.6 percent from three. 

That perimeter shooting—Oubre is a career 32.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc—is the one major skill holding him back. 

Nonetheless, his athleticism and upside will make him a player that more than a few teams check in on come free agency. The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly one of them, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News:

It's unlikely he'll return to the Warriors, barring the team making some roster moves or Oubre taking a pay cut compared to what he might be able to get on the market. The Dubs have an active roster cap of $166.8 million, dramatically above the $112.4 million salary cap and leaving them in the luxury tax. 

Even if they cut the non-guaranteed contracts of Gary Payton II, Damion Lee, Mychal Mulder and Alen Smailagic, it would only save them $7.2 million. Oubre is a solid player, but his path to a Warriors return is hard to find, especially if he wants over $20 million annually on a new contract, as previously reported.

As for the Heat, rumors are circulating that they have big plans come free agency, with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan reportedly in their crosshairs:

If the Heat are in the running for both of those players, it's hard to see a pathway for Oubre ending up in Miami. It's possible Pat Riley and the front office has Oubre atop their list of potential backup plans, however. 

The Miami Heat have reportedly decided to decline the $15 million club option in the contract of wing Andre Iguodala for the 2021-22 season, which will make him an unrestricted free agent.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news Sunday. 

Iguodala spent six seasons with Warriors, winning three championships and was named Finals MVP in 2015.

Iguodala averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 63 appearances in a limited role (21.3 minutes per game) for the Heat during the 2020-21 season.

The 37-year-old University of Arizona product started his career as a key starter for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging a career-high 19.9 points in 2007-08, and then transformed into a key role player for the Golden State Warriors while winning NBA championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He was named the 2015 NBA Finals MVP with the Dubs.

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported Iguodala is expected to speak with the Warriors when free agency starts.

Although his offensive impact has waned in a smaller role, he's remained a reliable defender, including a positive defensive rating (+1.1) for Miami this past season, per FiveThirtyEight.

Iguodala shouldn't have much trouble generating interest from title contenders in free agency, even at this latter stage of his career.

Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday the 2012 All-Star selection was already on the radar of the Los Angeles Lakers, who have a lot of work to do as they build their roster around the trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook.

Meanwhile, the Heat's decision to let Iguodala go doesn't come as a surprise as they seek financial flexibility before the free-agent market opens.

Longtime Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry is a "firm target" of Miami, either by creating more cap space or working on a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors, per Wojnarowski.

Lowry would provide a major boost to the Heat, who are working to keep their championship window open after reaching the 2020 NBA Finals. They were swept in the first round of this year's playoffs by the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks.

The 35-year-old Philadelphia native would join Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro as part of Miami's core.

Goran Dragic is expected to have a number of suitors if the Miami Heat decline the guard's team option. According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, multiple contenders are interested in Dragic should he reach unrestricted free agency next week:

Dragic has spent the last six-plus seasons with the Heat. Last year, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 50 games while playing 26.7 minutes per night. It's unclear how much money he could earn as an unrestricted free agent, but with championship teams in the mix, a small bidding war is possible. 

The Heat have until Sunday to exercise the 34-year-old's option, as the free-agent negotiating period opens Monday.

If the team exercises its option, Dragic will be the third-highest-paid player in Miami behind Jimmy Butler ($36 million) and Bam Adebayo ($28.1 million) in 2021-22. Should the Heat decline his and Andre Iguodala's options, Spotrac projects the club will enter free agency with $20.5 million in practical cap space.

Heat president Pat Riley is expected to be active, telling reporters in June the team has flexibility to go multiple routes this summer. 

“I like the nucleus of our team," Riley said, noting a third star in the lineup could help. "We’ve got a great core with Jimmy and Bam. ... We’ll see. Flexibility is a good way to go.”

After Riley called Miami's first-round playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks an "absolute team breakdown," it would make sense to expect significant roster changes—especially considering the impending decisions on unrestricted free agents Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica and restricted free agents Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. 

In the meantime, it's unclear which contenders could target Dragic should he hit the open market. 

In light of a possible Ben Simmons trade, the Philadelphia 76ers might need a point guard who can create his own shot and is a threat from behind the arc. Dragic isn't a full-time starter anymore, but he shot 37.3 percent from three last season and could help fill the gap from any Simmons deal.  

The Miami Heat extended a $4.7 million qualifying offer to combo guard Kendrick Nunn, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The move only makes the 25-year-old a restricted free agent, so the possibility remains he could land with a new team this summer. He could also sign the qualifying offer, which would pave the way for him to be an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Nunn should have plenty of options following a solid 2020-21 campaign.

Building on an All-Rookie season the year before, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He also shot 48.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.

One of Nunn's best outings came in a 96-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 20. He finished with 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.

The 6'2" guard has been another of Miami's player development success stories

Nunn went undrafted in 2018 likely in no small part to him pleading guilty to a 2016 misdemeanor battery charge after he was accused of choking a woman he was dating. He was later dismissed from Illinois. 

His on-court displays have been emblematic of a franchise that continually maxes out the talent on its roster following the end of the Big Three era. Shortly after landing with the Heat in 2019, Jimmy Butler spoke highly of him in an interview with Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

"Look at the motherf--ker K-Nunn," Butler said. "Look at him. He's got so much of me in him that it's scary because his confidence continues to grow."

Nunn's size might limit his ceiling, especially since he's neither an elite shooter or playmaker. His frame also presents some problems on defense because a player can only do so much to compensate for any difference in height and weight.

Nunn was a respectable 21st among 2-guards in ESPN's defensive real plus-minus (plus-0.63), but opposing players shot 60.4 percent inside 10 feet and 69.0 percent inside six feet when matched up against him, per NBA.com.

Restricted free agency can always be a bit of a crapshoot because it only takes one team to covet a player and throw a massive offer sheet on the table.

Nunn isn't the only notable free agent the Heat have to worry about, either, with Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala and Duncan Robinson all hitting the open market. Like Nunn, Robinson is an RFA, thus presenting the same issue addressed above.

Because his price tag shouldn't be exorbitant, you'd expect Nunn to return to Miami. However, he isn't so good as to be irreplaceable if the front office decides to devote its resources elsewhere.

Sooner or later, you'd expect the Heat to go big-game hunting to improve its championship odds while Butler continues to play at an All-NBA level.

The Miami Heat took the first step toward keeping Duncan Robinson on the roster for the 2021-22 season.

The 27-year-old received his qualifying offer that is worth $4.7 million, per Spotrac. This means the Heat can match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent and make sure he doesn't sign elsewhere.

The three-point shooter has always been an under-the-radar player who may have the opportunity to land his first massive deal this offseason. In May, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported teams may look to offer him as much as $20 million in an effort to ensure the Heat don't match.

Robinson started his collegiate career at Division III Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, before he transferred to Michigan and then went undrafted in 2018. He then went to the G League and didn't have his breakthrough campaign until 2019-20.

That is when he averaged 13.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from three-point range.

He also helped lead the Heat to the NBA Finals behind a number of impressive individual showings in the playoffs, such as when he drilled seven three-pointers in a first-round win over the Indiana Pacers and made five three-pointers in a closeout win over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals after scoring 20 points in Game 5.

The sharpshooter also helped keep Miami alive in the NBA Finals with 26 points and seven made threes in a Game 5 win before it lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6.

Robinson played well off Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo throughout those playoffs as someone who could take advantage of the open looks created by the additional attention the two primary playmakers drew.

He was more of a known commodity who could no longer fly under the radar as one of the best shooters in the league coming into the 2020-21 campaign, but he still played well and averaged 13.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game behind 40.8 percent shooting from deep.

Robinson is still relatively young and has proved himself to be an ideal complementary player and outside shooter. It comes as no surprise the Heat extended him the qualifying offer.