Report: Heat trade Jarnell Stokes to Pelicans

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:

This won't exaclty rev up the deadline, but the Heat have traded Jarnell Stokes. Details coming, likely just a small salary dump.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 18, 2016

Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:

The Miami Heat are trading forward Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells The Vertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 18, 2016

Scott Kushner of The Advocate:

Sources: The #Pelicans are receiving Stokes as the #Heat shed cash. Protected pick going to MIA. Details still emerging.

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 18, 2016

Source says #Pelicans still determining whether Jarnell Stokes will be on active roster. Pick is described as "very protected".

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 18, 2016

Marc Stein of ESPN:

Miami kicks in $700,000-plus in cash to New Orleans for Pelicans to take in Jarnell Stokes and reduce Heat tax bill by a further $2 million

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2016

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.