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Miami Heat: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season

By Sam DiGiovanni

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Justise Winslow #20 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 13, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Justise Winslow #20 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 13, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
(Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

5. Finally having some cap flexibility

After years of being capped out and having multiple unmovable contracts, cap flexibility is now on the horizon for Miami. Although the Heat’s payroll is still among the highest in the league — fifth-highest — they have some wiggle room to make moves.

Goran Dragic ($19 million) and Meyers Leonard ($11 million) have big contracts that expire after this season. The Heat could trade one or both of these players to improve the team. Unfortunately, Miami doesn’t have much draft capital to sweeten a deal, so they will likely have to trade one of the young players currently on the team.

The horrible contracts of Kelly Olynyk, Dion Waiters, and James Johnson each only have two years left on them. It would take an asset like Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro to move one of these deals, but now it’s at least somewhat possible.

There doesn’t seem to be an obvious trade to be made at the moment, but that won’t an issue. It’d be difficult to conduct a trade until Dec. 15, when free-agent signees from this past summer become available for trade, anyway.

The player that will most likely be involved in trade rumors this season is Washington Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal. Although Washington isn’t set on moving him right now, Miami can put together a solid package to acquire him. If Miami can prove to be a very good team, Beal may end up demanding to go to Miami, which would give the Heat some serious leverage.

The Heat have already expressed interest in acquiring Beal, and have even considered taking on John Wall and his contract to acquire Beal. If Washington can unload the $122 million Wall is owed over the next four seasons to Miami, it could incentivize them to send Beal and Wall to South Beach.

Nothing is set in stone right now, but the Heat might be able to shake up their roster as the hefty contracts of their veteran role players expire.

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