NBA Insider Explains Crazy Rules That Make Getting Danilo Gallinari to Miami So Difficult
By Jerry Trotta
The Miami Heat are making it known to the rest of the NBA that they have championship aspirations.
Shortly after acquiring Andre Iguodala from the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, they appeared to be on the verge of landing Oklahoma City Thunder stud Danilo Gallinari.
However, talks hit a standstill after Miami and OKC became aware of a bizarre NBA precedent regarding draft capital. Insider Bobby Marks provided the details, and boy, are they complicated.
7-year rule (2020-2026) and Stepien rule (cannot trade in back-to-back) years is restricting Miami on sending out draft compensation. The Heat owe OKC (or HOU) an unprotected 1 in 2021 and top 14 protected in 2023 that is also protected in 2024, 2025 and unprotected in 2026.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2020
Essentially the Heat already owe the Thunder a first-round pick (that's lottery-protected) in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including an unprotected selection in 2026.
Miami is keen on preserving cap space for next offseason, but the Stepien rule might force their hand in orchestrating a contract extension for Gallinari to complete the trade.
The max extension the Heat could offer, according to Marks, stands at $23.7million and $24.9 million.
Max extension would be $23.7M and $24.9M. This is likely the last big contract for the 31-years old. However, a limited 2020 FA market of teams w/room and the desire for teams to preserve cap space in 21 will have players faced with limited options this summer. https://t.co/lDvrzqB9ey
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2020
Therefore, it's feasible to think that Miami will take a route similar to the one they took with Iguodala, whom they signed to a two-year (second-year is a team option), $30 million extension to make the deal official.
This is a headache that the Heat could do without, but team president Pat Riley appears thoroughly convinced that his squad can compete for a championship. Expect terms to be finalized before Thursday's 3:00 p.m. ET deadline.