Heat could lose key rotation player due to salary constraints

The Miami Heat are expected to look different when the 2024-25 season begins. They were eliminated in the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. Erik Spoelstra's aging team failed to build on its run to the NBA Finals last season.

Miami's problem is that its current salary situation leaves it in a tough position. It may need to let some established members of the rotation leave before it can begin pursuing fresh talent. 

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Caleb Martin could be a casualty of the Heat's need to shed salary. 

“When the Heat opted to take on the final 2 ½ years of Terry Rozier’s contract in January, it largely eliminated two pools of potential targets this summer: 1). Players who would consider the $12.4 million non taxpayer’s midlevel exception and 2). Players who, for the first time in NBA history, could be traded for that exception," Jackson reported. "It also made keeping Caleb Martin highly unlikely and retaining Haywood Highsmith far more difficult.”

Martin has been a core part of Spoelstra's rotation in recent seasons. This year, he played in 64 regular-season games for the Heat. He averaged 10 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three-point range. 

While losing Martin could be a tough blow, the Heat will have options to help fill his production. The bigger loss will be the way he approaches the game. 

Martin embodies "Heat Culture." He plays physically, he fights on every possession and he often produces despite having a perceived talent disparity. The Heat like that type of player, and they aren't easy to find around the league. 

Nevertheless, Miami needs to shake up its current roster. It can't keep expecting to overperform during the postseason. The Heat need some fresh talent to help reinvigorate the roster and push the team toward being a contending roster. Whether that means the front office could look to move on from veteran stalwart Jimmy Butler remains to be seen. 

Whatever happens, Miami can't expect things to get better by doing nothing. That means players must leave before new players can come through the door. It's a tough reality to accept, but a necessary one nonetheless.