3. Josh McRoberts
This selection may come as a surprise to Heat fans, but it’s really not when you think about Josh McRoberts.
McRoberts is a hybrid 6’10” power forward/small forward capable of shooting three-pointers and distributing the basketball as a playmaker. At just 28 years of age, he is in the thick of his prime and has three years left on his contract.
He is due to earn $5.5 million next season, $5.8 million in 2016-17 and $6 million during the 2017-18 season.
Unlike most of the aforementioned players on this list, McRoberts represents true value as player capable of starting for a contending team, or as a veteran role player off the bench. He has been a starter and a bench player during his eight years in the NBA, so it won’t be much of an adjustment for the veteran forward.
When you factor in that the Heat just drafted a small forward with similar ability in terms of athleticism and playmaking in Justise Winslow, it makes McRoberts even more expendable. With Miami’s free agency pursuits of veteran big men such as Amar’e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, the franchise may be preparing itself to trade the 28-year-old forward.
Though Riley has stated that he wants the core lineup—including McRoberts—to return for next season, the Heat can shed some serious payroll and attract some suitors by dangling the University of Duke product as a trade piece.
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