More Miami Heat news came on Saturday night when players with player options in their contracts had until 5 p.m. (EST) to choose to opt in or out of their contracts. According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Caleb Martin and Thomas Bryant avoided the deadline and will follow suit, becoming unrestricted free agents. Josh Richardson was reportedly reported to have opted in, and Kevin Love to have opted out earlier, though he is anticipated to receive a new contract from the Heat.
Martin was expected to be a key member of the team’s rotation after gaining experience in the Heat system for another season. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it seems more probable than not that he would reject his $7.1 million option and explore his options for free agency.
According to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype, “Miami Heat swingman Caleb Martin is expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency for a bigger payday this summer.” Scotto wrote. “In his three seasons with the Heat, Martin has shot 37 percent. Should he leave in free agency, Miami will need to replace his floor spacing.”
Martin is not likely to stick with the Heat, preferring to pursue a “bigger payday.”
Martin anticipates going the same route as other former Heat players who were not selected, such as Max Strus of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Gabe Vincent of the Los Angeles Lakers, who went on to sign larger contracts elsewhere. But Martin would ultimately state that his objective is “to stay here” in his farewell interviews following Miami’s elimination in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s no secret that I want to be here. “I make that clear,” Martin remarked. “To be able to stay here and make it work is my objective. I want to stay as long as I can and I want them to want me to return. That’s my major objective.
It doesn’t seem likely right now because the Heat aren’t allowed to offer massive salaries because they’re almost a second-tier team, and they could want to save money in case they acquire a star via a trade. Haywood Highsmith is another Miami athlete who is scheduled to become a free agent. It appears that the team will have to choose one guy over the other, and since he is probably going to be less expensive, the team should go with the fellow undrafted standout.
Thomas Bryant might be searching for a better opportunity somewhere else.
The big man for the Heat, Thomas Bryant, is turning down his $2.8 million option and will become a free agent like Martin and Love, however as previously said, the 35-year-old is probably going to return to the team. In his farewell interview, Bryant stated that he still loves the team even though “the opportunities” aren’t “there all the time.” This could mean that he believes he can make more money elsewhere or that the playing minutes haven’t been there.
Regarding his decision made during the summer, Bryant remarked, “I haven’t given it too much thought right now.” “In all honesty, it’s just dealing with the season’s end. Personally, though, I adore this Heat organisation.
I adore what these guys stand for, what they contribute, and the effort that each and every one of us must put forward.
“Overall, I felt like the year was a learning experience for me,” Bryant said. “Coming in from other organisations to the Heat organisation and Heat culture was a really big learning experience.” I felt like I was improving every day from the beginning of training camp until today, and I believe it was a huge learning curve for me. Although the possibilities weren’t always there, I thought the coach had to take responsibility for it.
With multiple players declining their player options on Saturday, there will undoubtedly be more movement surrounding the Heat come free agency, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Miami is attempting to recover after placing eighth for the second consecutive year.
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