Heat will now have 1 fewer trade exception ahead of deadline

"While the trade occurred on Dec. 13, 2024, the deal did not become official until Dec. 15 because that's when Bryant became eligible to be dealt. Bryant opened up a roster spot that was evidently filled by Keshad Johnson, who was tearing up Sioux Falls on a two-way contract at the time. Since it was a non-simultaneous trade without any salary coming back, it also generated a small $2.1 million trade exception with the Heat."

"Those trade exceptions last one calendar year before expiring. How much does this impact Heat moving forward? In essence, it's inconsequential. If Miami wanted to use the exception, it could've taken back $2.2 million in salary in any single trade without sending anything out. While I have zero inside info, the prospects of that happening were always slim to none with them operating near the luxury tax."

"The Heat still has four more trade exceptions to work with, with two expiring at the deadline: Jimmy Butler Trade to GSW: $7.8 million Josh Richardson trade to UTH: $3.1 million Duncan Robinson S&T with DET: $16.8 million Haywood Highsmith trade to BKN: $5.6 million Approximately $8.3 million of the original $16.1 million exception generated in the Butler trade was eaten up by Simone Fontecchio - which allowed Miami to create a brand new $16.8 million TPE from Robinson."

Over 80 players became trade-eligible, and the Miami Heat re-signed guard Dru Smith to a three-year, $7.9 million deal with the final two years non-guaranteed. A $2.1 million trade exception created when the Heat traded Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers expired after one year. That exception could have allowed Miami to take back roughly $2.2 million in salary in a trade without sending salary out, but the Heat’s proximity to the luxury tax made that unlikely. Four other Heat trade exceptions remain: $7.8M (Butler), $3.1M (Richardson), $16.8M (Robinson), and $5.6M (Highsmith). Approximately $8.3M of the Butler exception was used on Simone Fontecchio, enabling the Robinson-generated $16.8M TPE.

Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog