The final personnel deadline of the Heat season is made more difficult by Duncan Robinson’s absence.
In the absence of a 3-point shooter, the Heat may find themselves trailing the Toronto Raptors by three points in the postseason due to guard Duncan Robinson’s return of back pain, which kept him out of Friday night’s game at Kaseya Center.
Cole Swider, a 3-point specialist, could be one solution, but it’s not that easy. Two-way players are not allowed to play in the playoffs; Jamal Cain and Alondes Williams of the Heat would thus be subject to this postseason limitation. Swider (or any of the other Heat two-way players) would have to waive a player who is already on the standard roster by Sunday in order to transition to a standard contract.
Orlando Robinson, a center with a non-guaranteed 2024–25 season on his contract, could be waived. Another possibility would be to add Delon Wright or Patty Mills to the buyout market. Players who consent to sign with teams through the buyout market typically guarantee a spot on the postseason roster.
Guard Josh Richardson has a player option on the two-year minimum-scale contract he signed last summer, thus the Heat are not in a position to dismiss him due to a season-ending shoulder surgery. They would be able to practice, travel, and train with the Heat throughout the postseason if they choose not to trade for their two-way players.
In order to add players to their postseason roster, teams may also recruit players who were waived by another team by March 1 or who have been out of the league. Players can qualify for the playoffs without playing in a regular-season game.