The Miami Heat have been creative roster-builders throughout their franchise history, but they've also made some huge mistakes. Here are the three biggest.
The Miami Heat have made some questionable free-agent signings throughout their history. In recent years, they handed out huge contracts to Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson, James Johnson, Dion Waiters, Kyle Lowry, and Duncan Robinson, amongst others.
Let's take a look at their three worst moves.
Miami Heat biggest free-agent mistakes: 3. Re-signing Tyler Johnson (2016)
Contract: 4 years, $50 million
Johnson emerged as a surprising rotation player. The undrafted free agent made his NBA debut on a 10-day contract. He played well in limited action for the Heat. In 2015-16, he averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals, while shooting 37.2 percent from 3. He flashed higher upside, as well, scoring 19+ points in three individual games.
In the summer of 2016, he headed into restricted free agency at age 24. Retaining the young guard was a priority for the front office.
However, the Brooklyn Nets decided to sign him to a four-year, $50 million offer sheet. The Nets were desperate for young talent. Their assets were depleted following the much-maligned KG-Pierce-Jason Terry trade, and their leading scorers were Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young.
The Heat decided to match the offer. Johnson continued to be a solid role player, but he never elevated his game to a $50 million level. In 2018-19, he averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 44 games. At the trade deadline, he was sent to the Phoenix Suns along with Wayne Ellington in exchange for Ryan Anderson.
Miami Heat biggest free-agent mistakes: 2. Re-signing Duncan Robinson (2021)
Contract: 5 years, $90 million
The story is still being written on this contract, but the early returns are not looking good. The Duncan Robinson deal is strikingly similar to the Tyler Johnson deal. Robinson was an undrafted free agent. Surprisingly, he emerged as a valuable rotation player, and in order to keep him around, they overpaid him.
Look, re-signing him was understandable. In 2020-21, he started all 72 games for the Heat, and he shot a blistering 40.8 percent from deep.
However, the front office signed him to a historic contract. Robinson's $90 million deal made him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history, surpassing All-Star guard Fred VanVleet.
The total value is tied for the 11th-highest among NBA small forwards, trailing only Kevin Durant, Michael Porter Jr., Khris Middleton, Kawhi Leonard, Brandon Ingram, Gordon Hayward, Andrew Wiggins, Jaylen Brown, and Mikal Bridges. With all due respect, Robinson is not in the same tier as those players.
To make matters worse, Robinson's role has been dramatically reduced. This season, he started only one game. He was10th on the team in total minutes played (691).
Following injuries to Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, he has been thrust into a larger role this postseason, and he is performing well. Still, it is hard to deny that this was a massive overpay, and there are still three years left.
Miami Heat biggest free-agent mistakes: 1. Giving Brian Grant a superstar deal (2000)
Contract: 7 years, $87 million
In 2000, the Heat made the bold choice to sign Brian Grant to a seven-year, $87 million contract.
Grant was a good, reliable big man for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 10.2 points and 8.0 rebounds across three seasons. However, the Heat gave him a superstar-level contract. For perspective, the NBA had a salary cap of $35.5 million in 2000. In 2023, the salary cap is $134 million. So, if we adjust Grant's contract for the current CBA, it would be valued at seven years, $328.39 million.
During the 2002-03 season, he had a higher salary than Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison, and Jason Kidd. Grant was a solid player for the Heat. He was a fixture in the starting lineup, and he averaged 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in four seasons. The Heat just overpaid him.
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