Josh McRoberts’ $5.7 million salary won’t be enough to get a deal done, and it’s hard to imagine a world in which the Heat attach the likes of Udonis Haslem, Justise Winslow or Josh Richardson in a deal to acquire Gay. Guys like Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside won’t be included in a deal, and the Heat can’t trade Tyler Johnson until December 15. Not to mention that putting together a trade package to match Gay’s 2016-17 salary won’t be easy. Pat Riley won’t be very excited to be on the hook for more than $14 million next season if Gay decides to opt in, and even less excited to not have control of that situation. That player option could present the biggest roadblock for a potential Gay-to-Miami deal. Players signed this month in free agency cannot be traded until Dec. But Miami likely lacks the tradable assets to acquire him if it wanted to and his $14.2 million player option for 2017-18 is worrisome.
In 2022-23, Gay will earn a base salary of 6,184,500, while carrying a cap hit of 6,184,500. According to an associate, the Heat is among teams that very much appeal to Sacramento forward Rudy Gay, who has been available in trades. Rudy Gay signed a 3 year / 18,553,500 contract with the Utah Jazz, including 18,553,500 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of 6,184,500.
