Miami Heat Receive: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, WAS 2026 2nd Round Pick (Protected Top-45)
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson
Obviously, a move to trade Duncan Robinson will be one to free up immediate cap space on Miami’s end of things, but trading a near $17 million contract is not an easy thing to do.
Most teams in the league will not be able to absorb Robinson’s contract without giving up a somewhat equal contract in return, which is the problem Washington could run into if they were to pursue Duncan Robinson.
Given the expected massive increase to Bradley Beal’s contract and the fact that they now have to pay Kristaps Porzingis nearly $34 million next season, the only way Washington could make this trade work without getting a ton of contracts involved is if they were to give up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who would be entering the final year of his contract.
Set to make $14 million next season, Caldwell-Pope would save the Miami Heat nearly $3 million next season, keeping them under the tax line momentarily and opening up the possibility of them flipping him and other assets they get back from Washington in a trade for another high-level talent.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Why Miami Heat Could Look To Trade Duncan Robinson Soon
In this deal, they do not get many assets back from Washington, but it is possible that the Heat could look for an offer of a role player like KCP and a first-round pick in exchange for Duncan Robinson this upcoming offseason.
Again, taking back a big contract is not something the Heat would like to do, but if they are worried about long-term financial resources, moving the remaining $74 million owed to Duncan Robinson for just the $14 million owed to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope immediately puts the Heat in the market to land another elite-level talent the following offseason in 2023.
As for the Washington Wizards, they currently rank 26th in the league in three-point shooting this season and desperately need help out on the perimeter.
A starting lineup of Beal, Porzingis, and Kuzma does not offer a lot of upside from the perimeter, which is why throwing in a player like Duncan Robinson can be highly advantageous for them.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Why Miami Heat Could Look To Trade Duncan Robinson Soon
Being just 27-years-old and a 40-plus percent three-point shooting threat, Robinson would immediately help the Washington Wizards in their quest to get back to the playoffs next season.