The new CBA has forced several teams into tight financial corners, and the Miami Heat might have a panacea on its roster that looks like Duncan Robinson.
Robinson’s partially guaranteed contract is a rarity in today’s NBA. Of the $19.9 million Robinson is owed next season, just $9.8 million is guaranteed before June 29. That means that any team that waives Robinson before that date would get $10 million of instant savings.
That team could be the Heat or a team in dire financial trouble, like the Phoenix Suns or Boston Celtics.
Both the Suns and Celtics are set to be well above the second tax apron next season, which comes with a steep tax bill and roster-building limitations. After the Suns missed the playoffs and are facing a potential rebuild and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear that could lead to a gap year in Boston, getting under the second apron will be a priority for both franchises.
Robinson’s partially guaranteed contract makes him valuable to teams in financial trouble.
That’s where Robinson comes in. The Suns and Celtics could target Robinson in a trade in an effort to get under the second tax apron. They would have to make other moves to create space, but saving $10 million would get them most of the way there.
There are other non-guaranteed contracts in the league, but most of them tend to be on a smaller scale, closer to the veteran minimum. Robinson’s is one of the few that approach $10 million or more in non-guaranteed money.
Others include:
- Josh Okogie, Atlanta: $7.7 million
- Jock Landale, Houston: $8 million
- Kenyon Martin Jr., Utah: $8 million
- Cody Martin, Phoenix: $8.7 million
- Richaun Holmes, Washington: $13 million
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans: $39.4 million
Robinson’s is also valuable because of its higher total value of nearly $20 million, making it ideal for salary-matching in trades. Only Williamson’s contract has a higher total value among majority non-guaranteed contracts in the league next season.
As teams look to create a cushion against either the first or second aprons, they could give Miami a call.
When it comes to the Suns, Robinson could be a required part of any Kevin Durant trade. A theoretical package of Andrew Wiggins and Robinson would save the Suns enough money to get under the first and second apron.
If the Heat don’t trade Robinson, they could waive him to potentially get under the luxury tax line, too. Pat Riley during his end-of-season press conference said that avoiding the luxury tax would be a priority.
