Over the past few years, there’s been one Achilles heel that has been quite evident for the Miami Heat and the way they conduct business. Heat president Pat Riley may have fallen victim to it once again, making a short-sighted move to salary dump Haywood Highsmith that will almost certainly cost the team at the NBA Trade Deadline.

Not only did the Heat have to attach an asset to get out from under Highsmith’s contract (and to get under the luxury tax line), but they also cost themselves the opportunity to land an additional asset at the NBA Trade Deadline.

In essence, because of this rash move, the Heat finds itself in a situation in which it’s, at the very least, going to have one less asset to pursue another difference-making player, perhaps even a star, via trade.

The Heat were in a difficult situation

It was clear from the moment that the Heat missed out in their pursuit of Kevin Durant that one of the big goals for the team this season was going to revolve around finishing the year under the tax. However, the key is “finishing the year.” In theory, the Heat didn’t have to get under the tax now.

They had until April to remove themselves from being a tax team. There’s a chance that they could’ve waited to make such a trade until the trade deadline, a moment in which they could’ve completed the same deal without having to include an asset.

Of course, that was far from a guarantee, and one of the bigger reasons why the Heat elected to make the trade now. Still, if the Brooklyn Nets end up flipping Highsmith at any point this season for a second-round pick, or anything of substance, this trade is only going to look worse for the Heat.

The real problem for the Heat

In some ways, it was easy to frame the Heat’s motive in trading Highsmith as a way they could sign Dru Smith. While there may be some truth to that, I can’t imagine this was the Heat’s only reason for the trade. Sure, it was something that put them in a position to do, but, at the end of the day, Miami needed to get under the luxury tax and didn’t want to take the risk of that possibility not being available later on in the season.

It’s fair to criticize Miami, and time will ultimately tell how this trade ends up looking. But while it may be understandable, there’s still no question that the Heat lost another asset in the process. Another lost asset in a salary dump deal will only naturally make it more difficult for Miami to meet its goal of trading for another star target.

That, more than anything, should be where the criticism of this front office lands.