The Miami Heat didn’t lose any financial flexibility
Even if this move blows up in the Heat’s face this season and they don’t end up taking a step up in the Eastern Conference standings, the team still has full financial flexibility heading into the offseason of 2021. If they’d like to move on from Victor Oladipo, they could without any issue. All they would have to do is renounce his rights.
This was likely one of the goals heading into the trade deadline – the Heat wanted to try and improve the roster without losing any financial flexibility. Pat Riley managed to accomplish that in both deals that were made on deadline day.
There’s a good chance that the Heat improved its roster at the trade deadline, but even if they didn’t this isn’t the end of the road for this franchise. They’re still going to have the flexibility to drastically improve the roster via free agency (if they elect to move on from Victor Oladipo). Miami was one of the big winners from the NBA Trade Deadline, that’s pretty clear.