All throughout last season, the Miami Heat prioritized keeping 2021 cap space. This goal led Miami to balk at giving Danilo Gallinari a contract extension that went past the 2020-21 season at the February trade deadline.
Miami even refused to offer Jae Crowder, who offered invaluable two-way play in the Heat’s second-round upset over the No. 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks, more than one guaranteed season. Crowder signed with the Phoenix Suns instead on a three-year deal. As recently as one month ago, Heat officials told Crowder they had a “master plan” for the 2021 off-season and were sticking to it.