The Heat are in line to become the first team ever to pay the repeater rate for the luxury tax. So, dropping any salary – even Jarnell Stokes‘ minimum deal – carries significant financial implications. The Pelicans can absorb Stokes’ minimum salary without sending any in return. The draft pick serves as a small sweetener for doing so. Assuming the Heat add no salary in this deal, they project to save $1,691,020 –$278,372 in Stokes’ remaining salary plus $2,112,648 in luxury-tax payments minus $700,00 cash. Miami, always a popular destination for veterans who take buyouts, also opens a roster spot. - See more at: http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/02/18/report-heat-trade-jarnell-stokes-to-pelicans/
