The NBA's stretch-waiver deadline passed at the end of August, preventing teams from waiving players and spreading salaries across future seasons after a 48-hour waiver clearance window. Terry Rozier carries a $26.6 million expiring contract that Miami prefers to trade but has seen scant external interest, prompting buyout consideration. Stretching Rozier would create roughly $8.9 million in dead cap space each of the next three years, which would reduce the Heat's ability to pursue a star. Comparisons to teams carrying long-term dead money underscore why Miami wants to preserve maximum cap flexibility for a 2027 superstar push.
Sometimes, it's the moves NBA teams don't make that reveal everything. On a related note: The Miami Heat's decision not to waive Terry Rozier is incredibly telltale. One of the league's lesser-discussed deadlines has officially come to pass. As of Saturday, August 30, teams can no longer waive players, and then stretch their salaries across multiple seasons. Technically, the deadline to do this is September 1, but you must also leave a 48-hour cushion for any dispatched contracts to officially clear waivers.
That isn't a ton of money in the grand scheme. Just ask the Milwaukee Bucks. They have $22.5 million on the books for Damian Lillard through 2029-30. The Phoenix Suns will also be paying out $19.8 million per year to Bradley Beal through 2029-30 as well. These are not situations the Heat should be striving to emulate, or even compare themselves against.
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