Calling this new TV deal a game changer is the understatement of the year. But how does this impact Miamis short- and long-term financial commitments? First, some basics. Miami only has three commitments in places for the 2016 season; Chris Bosh, Shabazz Napier and Josh McRoberts. Boshs five-year deal extends to 2019, Napiers rookie contract could run past 2016 (due to a team option) and McRoberts signed a four-year deal but has a player option that could terminate his agreement with Miami in 2016. Other current Heat players like Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem all signed short-term deals this past summer. As Winderman points out, Miami has clearly been positioning themselves with this new deal in mind. By 2016, there will be considerable salary cap space and the team could conceivably make a run at some big free agent names, including Durant and Howard. While many criticized Miamis choice to sign Bosh to such a lucrative deal, a versatile player like Bosh will likely still be a productive player in two years and his deal is much more cap-friendly considering the infusion of cash now set to take place. This is no guarantee that Miami will be able to successfully navigate through the nebulous financial waters of the next few seasons - plenty of teams have freed up space in the past and whiffed badly on luring free agents (think L.A. Lakers and Houston Rockets this summer). But Miami is still considered a premium destination and with the stability of the front office, coaching staff, championship history and commitment to excellence, the team seems poised for a continued bright future.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 19:18:30 +0000
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