The Heat are in line to become the first team ever to pay the repeater rate for the luxury tax.
So, dropping any salary – even Jarnell Stokes‘ minimum deal – carries significant financial implications.
Zach Lowe of ESPN:
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Scott Kushner of The Advocate:
Marc Stein of ESPN:
The Pelicans can absorb Stokes’ minimum salary without sending any in return. The draft pick serves as a small sweetener for doing so.
Assuming the Heat add no salary in this deal, they project to save $1,691,020 –$278,372 in Stokes’ remaining salary plus $2,112,648 in luxury-tax payments minus $700,00 cash.
Miami, always a popular destination for veterans who take buyouts, also opens a roster spot.
Stokes, the No. 35 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, could provide New Orleans with a little value. Just 22, he can finish inside and rebound, though his game has plenty of rough edges. Stokes hasn’t played much with Heat, who acquired him this season in a trade from the Grizzlies (who didn’t play him much, either).
Stokes has a unguaranteed minimum salary for next season. So, if he produces the rest of this season, he’ll be a bargain next year. If he doesn’t, the Pelicans can walk away at no cost.