Heat bypasses LaVine pursuit. Here’s why that’s the right decision

Another big-time scorer, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, is available on the trade market.

But a person in close contact with the Heat front office said Miami has not been pursuing a trade for him, at least as of now. (I would be surprised if that changes.)

And that’s a sensible decision, because of several reasons including future flexibility, finances and duplication with Tyler Herro’s skill set. (The Heat isn’t interested in trading Herro for LaVine.)

Because this topic offers a broader understanding of issues involved in any trade pursuit of a high-salaried player, here’s a look at the consequences if Miami tried to acquire LaVine and why it wouldn’t make sense:

▪ LaVine is a two-time All-Star, and a more prolific scorer than Herro to this point in their careers. (LaVine averaged 27.4, 24.4 and 24.5 points the past three seasons but 21.3 so far this season.)

But any trade involving those two would add $58 million to Miami’s payroll in salary during the next four seasons, and potentially tens of millions in tax dollars.

Keep in mind that Herro is due to earn $27 million this season and $29 million, $31 million and $33 million the next three seasons.

LaVine is earning $40.1 million this season, $43 million next season, $45.9 million in 2025-26 and $48.9 million in 2026-27, if he exercises a player option on that final season.

All told, Herro is due $120 million through the next four seasons, LaVine $177.9 million.

Because the Heat doesn’t want to incur the competitive restrictions of surpassing the second apron next season, and historically doesn’t like being a tax team several years in a row, paying LaVine $45.9 million in 2025-26 — instead of paying Herro $31 million — would diminish the resources available to address other needs.

That isn’t worth it, considering Herro’s ascent before his injury and the fact LaVine isn’t considered a top 25 player.

▪ What if the Heat could acquire LaVine without giving up Herro? That’s dubious if the Bulls stick to their summer demands of landing a significant haul for him. And it would shackle future Heat flexibility.

Let’s say, purely hypothetically, that the Bulls took a package of Kyle Lowry’s and Caleb Martin’s expiring contracts, plus Nikola Jovic and a first-round pick. (To be clear, Miami isn’t dangling that package.) That deal would work within cap rules, with nearly $39 million going out in salary and LaVine’s $40.1 million incoming.

Here’s the problem with that: The Heat, in that scenario, then would be well over the projected $172.6 million luxury tax line for 2024-25.

Even next season’s combined salaries of five players — LaVine ($43 million), Jimmy Butler ($48.8 million), Bam Adebayo ($34.8 million), Herro ($29 million) and Duncan Robinson ($19.4 million) — would exceed the $172.6 million tax line by nearly $3 million.

And if Kevin Love, Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant exercise their player options for 2024-25, then those three, combined with Jaime Jaquez Jr., would put the Heat right up against the projected $190 million second apron that the Heat would prefer not to surpass beginning next season, when the restrictions become far more onerous.

(Beginning next season, teams above the second apron cannot aggregate player salaries in a trade for one player making more money, cannot deal one of its own players in a sign-and-trade and cannot sweeten trades with cash, among other impediments.)

And that aforementioned scenario doesn’t even account for impending free agent Haywood Highsmith and four vacant roster spots. (As noted, Martin also will be a free agent in July.)

Here’s the broader point here: Any trade for a high-salaried player — using Lowry as a major component of the deal — would come with major consequences in this new labor deal.

Meanwhile, several teams reportedly are monitoring the potential availability of Chicago’s Alex Caruso, who is owed $9.5 million this season and $9.9 million next season.

The 6-4 combo guard, who gives good effort defensively, averaged 5.6 points and shot 36.4 percent on threes in 67 games and 36 starts last season. This season, he’s averaging 10.0 points and shooting 47.9 percent in 14 games, including four starts.

The Heat hypothetically could have interest in Caruso, but I would be surprised if the Heat ever dangled a first-round pick for him.

Under this new NBA labor deal, every potential trade involving a high-salary player requires careful consideration of this question: Is this a player worth sacrificing future flexibility for?

Miami is on track to pay a $29 million tax this season, with the final total not set until the last day of the regular season.

Ultimately, the Heat — before the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline — could face the choice of A). parlaying Lowry’s contract into a good player or players on multiyear deals, or B). allowing Lowry’s contract to expire in June as a sort of “get out of jail card” to get under the tax line and create room under the tax line to re-sign Martin or Highsmith or both.

Regardless, LaVine isn’t worth sacrificing future flexibility for. And the Heat seems to know that.

THIS AND THAT

The Heat gets national network coverage for its final two group play games of the In-Season Tournament.

The new ESPN lead announcing team of Mike Breen, Doc Rivers and Doris Burke call Heat-Knicks at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

TNT lead play-by-play man Kevin Harlan works Bucks-Heat at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, with Reggie Miller and guest analyst Shaquille O’Neal, who’s leaving the studio for one night to call a game in Miami.

▪ Heat opponents are averaging 16.8 turnovers per game, second most in the NBA...

After these games against the Knicks on Friday and Nets on Saturday, Miami (10-5) will have played 12 road games over its first 19 games of the season. That’s the most road games in the NBA so far this season...

The Heat is now a plus-65 with Kyle Lowry on the court, which is 28th in the league and narrowly behind Jimmy Butler for the team lead. Miami has outscored teams by 70 with Butler on the court.... The MRI on Dru Smith’s injured knee is scheduled for Friday.