Miami Heat roster comes into focus after latest contract decisions

Miami Heat Roster UpdateMiami Heat Roster Update As free agency approaches, the Miami Heat are gaining clarity on their roster. Josh Richardson has signed his $3.1 million player option, Kevin Love and Thomas Bryant have player options expiring, and Caleb Martin is expected to decline his player option. Player Options * Kevin Love: $4 million player option * Thomas Bryant: $2.8 million player option * Caleb Martin: $7.1 million player option (expected to decline) Current Roster The Heat currently have 11 players under contract: * Jimmy Butler * Kyle Lowry * Gabe Vincent * Tyler Herro * Bam Adebayo * Dewayne Dedmon * Nikola Jovic * Udonis Haslem * Max Strus * Josh Richardson Pending Decisions * Kevin Love: Expected to opt for his contract, bringing the roster to 12. * Thomas Bryant: Questionable due to Miami’s selection of Kel’el Ware in the draft. * Caleb Martin: Expected to decline his option and become a free agent. Restricted Free Agents The Heat have extended qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, making them restricted free agents. Other Moves * Jamal Cain, who has played on Miami’s two-way contracts, is not expected to return. * Florida guard Zyon Pullin and Arizona forward Keshad Johnson have agreed to two-way deals. Salary Cap Considerations Due to their status as a luxury tax team, the Heat are limited to offering veteran minimum contracts to free agents. Haywood Highsmith’s Future The future of forward Haywood Highsmith is uncertain. The Heat have reportedly been in contact about a new contract, but no deal has been reached.

With Josh Richardson signing his contract, the Miami Heat are beginning to gain clarity on their roster as free agency begins.

According to the Miami Herald, Richardson has picked up the $3.1 million player option in his contract for next season to remain with the Heat. The organization is awaiting decisions from Kevin Love ($4 million player option) and Thomas Bryant ($2.8 million) and an official word from Caleb Martin ($7.1 million).

They have until 5 p.m. Saturday to decide whether to return to the Heat or become unrestricted free agents.

Martin is expected to decline his player option and become a free agent, where he will have the opportunity to sign a more lucrative long-term contract.

The Heat begin Saturday with 11 players under contract:

Love opting for his contract, as expected, would make that 12. What Bryant decides to do after the Heat used the 15th pick in the draft on another center in Kel’el Ware is more of a question. Bryant is a positive presence in the locker room, but was inconsistent in his first year in Miami. If he doesn’t think he’ll get many opportunities next season, he can opt out and look for playing time elsewhere.

The Heat also announced Friday that they have extended qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, making them restricted free agents. The Heat will have the opportunity to match any outside offers. Both finished last season on two-way contracts and could compete for a two-way or standard roster spot next season. Swider and Williams are expected to play for the Heat’s Summer League team.

(Related: Heat working to turn things around next season after Jimmy Butler decision)

Meanwhile, Jamal Cain, who has played the past two seasons on one of Miami’s two-ways, is not expected back. He was only eligible for a qualifying offer at the veteran’s minimum on a standard contract. With the Heat declining to extend that offer, Cain will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Heat are down to one two-way spot after agreeing to two-way deals with a pair of undrafted free agents: Florida guard Zyon Pullin and Arizona forward Keshad Johnson.

Due to their position as a luxury tax team, the Heat will be limited to offering veteran minimum contracts to free agents this summer to fill out the roster.

Another player whose future is uncertain? Forward Haywood Highsmith. The Heat and Highsmith have reportedly been in contact about a new contract, but no deal has been reached. Since they own his Bird rights, the Heat could bring Highsmith back next season for a higher-than-minimum deal, but that would create a salary cap crisis that Miami would have to solve.