The Miami Heat entered the 2025 NBA free agency period with newfound roster flexibility after sharpshooter Duncan Robinson exercised his early termination option Sunday, becoming an unrestricted free agent and saving the franchise approximately $10 million.
Robinson's decision to walk away from $19.9 million drops Miami roughly $14 million below the luxury tax threshold and unlocks their $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, providing president Pat Riley with multiple avenues to reshape a roster coming off a disappointing first-round playoff sweep.
The move addresses Riley's stated goal of avoiding the luxury tax's harsher repeater penalties, which become more punitive in 2025-261. Miami has exceeded the tax threshold for two consecutive seasons, prompting Riley to acknowledge in May that "we have to make an adjustment" financially1.
The Heat have already secured restricted free agent Davion Mitchell, who emerged as a valuable contributor after arriving in the Jimmy Butler trade23. Mitchell's expected contract of around $12 million annually represents the type of value signing Miami seeks3.
Robinson, 31, remains a potential reunion candidate on a more team-friendly deal closer to his $9.9 million partial guarantee, according to reporting by Hot Hot Hoops4. Despite back injuries limiting his availability, Robinson shot 39.3 percent from three-point range last season and represents Miami's "greatest shooter in franchise history"4.
Miami's improved financial position coincides with reported efforts to trade Andrew Wiggins, acquired in the Butler deal1. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Heat "continue to make Andrew Wiggins available in trade talks and would be willing to part with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft for an upgrade alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo"1.
The franchise recently drafted Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick and signed five undrafted free agents, including 7-foot-1 center Vlad Goldin to a two-way contract23.
Riley has been clear about his intentions for roster changes, stating in May that there's "no doubt" modifications will come and the team "probably won't run it back"45. The Heat finished 37-45 last season before advancing through the play-in tournament only to be swept by Cleveland.
Center Bam Adebayo remains the franchise's lone "untouchable" player, according to Bleacher Report, while Tyler Herro appears positioned as a long-term building block despite ongoing extension discussions67.
"There are some lateral trades that can be made to improve the team," Riley said in May4.
