The Miami Heat made a move as the 2023 trade deadline approaches, dealing veteran center Dewayne Dedmon to San Antonio in what is seen as a luxury tax-saving move. In the trade, the Spurs receive Dedmon and a 2028 second-round pick for cash considerations.
Miami receives:
- Cash considerations
San Antonio receives:
- Dewayne Dedmon
- 2028 second-round pick
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have traded Dewayne Dedmon and a 2028 second round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for cash considerations. https://t.co/17PkOS7rvd
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 7, 2023
A 10-year NBA veteran, this will mark Dedmon’s second stint with the Spurs after playing for them during the 2016-17 season. He is averaging 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 11.7 minutes per game and will join a San Antonio frontcourt that includes rookie Jeremy Sochan and veterans Zach Collins and Jakob Poeltl.
Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the move was not unexpected and it frees up space under the luxury tax line to add two players.
Heat dumps Dedmon as expected. Frees up space under tax line to add 2 players https://t.co/akR74MRoVk
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 7, 2023
Dedmon was at the center of a bizarre scene in Miami last month as he was ejected following a dispute with the Heat’s coaching staff.
The Heat had only nine players available for their Jan. 10 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dedmon was one of eight they used in the first half. He entered late in the first quarter, then was subbed out with 9:25 left in the half. That prompted an argument on the Heat sideline and Dedmon swatted at one of the massage guns behind the bench.
The device sailed onto the court — coming to rest about 35 feet from where Dedmon was standing — while play was happening. Dedmon was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. He had two points and three rebounds in just under 5 minutes of game action.
He was ultimately suspended one game without pay by the team for conduct detrimental to the club. Since the Jan. 10 dispute, Dedmon did not play in 11 straight games before logging 12 minutes in a 123-115 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 4.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.