Following the Jimmy Butler trade, the Miami Heat found themselves exceeding the luxury tax threshold, a situation that required some financial maneuvering.
As part of the deal, the Heat had arranged to send Kyle Anderson to the Toronto Raptors, which would have allowed them to get under the tax line and avoid the hefty penalties associated with it.
However, when the Raptors were presented with the opportunity to acquire Brandon Ingram instead, they chose to pass on taking Anderson, leaving Miami in a difficult spot.
Despite this setback, the Heat were given three additional chances to trade away players to clear at least $2.8 million, the amount necessary to slip below the tax. However, Miami ultimately decided against making these moves.
The decision was made that weakening the roster just to sidestep the luxury tax wasn’t a worthwhile trade-off.
Instead, the Heat chose to keep Anderson on the roster while also adding talented players like Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, believing that these additions would benefit the team more in the long run, even if it meant staying over the luxury tax.
Heat Had Options To Duck Luxury Tax But Didn't Want To Weaken Roster https://t.co/5Ypywq4prk
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 8, 2025
