Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Grades: Heat to dump Josh McRoberts on Mavericks

By Gerald Bourguet

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat looks to make a pass during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on November 25, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Heat defeated the Grizzlies 90-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat looks to make a pass during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on November 25, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Heat defeated the Grizzlies 90-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NBA Trade Grades
DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 26: A.J. Hammons #20 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day held at American Airlines Center on September 26, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat

All in all, this is a pretty solid deal for the Heat. News of the Olynyk signing underwhelmed most Miami fans — especially before it was reported the team planned on re-signing James Johnson as well — but the news of this trade came as a collective sigh of relief.

For starters, finally getting McRoberts’ deal off the books will be a welcome sight after he signed a four-year, $23 million contract with the Heat…and went on to play a grand total of 81 games in three seasons for the team, averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in that time.

He wasn’t necessarily weighing the Heat down, but getting rid of him ensures Pat Riley will be able to re-sign Dion Waiters, haul in Kelly Olynyk AND re-sign James Johnson to a reported deal worth $60 million.

Hammons is only coming off his rookie season, and could spend time in the D-League developing his game, especially since the Heat already have Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk and rookie Bam Adebayo at the center spot.

The Johnson and Olynyk signings will make it hard to bring back Wayne Ellington, but this deal freed up the cap space to lock down Johnson, the team’s point forward who played a pivotal role in its 30-11 finish to the season. It also got rid of McBob’s contract and brought a second-year player into the fold — all at the cost of a measly second round pick.

The Heat’s four-year deals over the last week basically represent Riley waving the flag on true title contention and embracing a fun, lovable team instead, but given all the versatility in Erik Spoelstra’s system, that’s certainly not the worst way to enjoy living under the Golden State Warriors’ shadow for the next few years.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Grade: A

Home/Dallas Mavericks