Heat renounce rights to several players as Haslem contract nears completion

Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Miami Heat have officially renounced the rights to James Jones, Michael Beasley, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Toney Douglas, Greg Oden, as well as retired players Shane Battier and Juwan Howard.

The move clears their cap holds to be able to sign new acquisitions like Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger and Luol Deng. Note that the players not involved in this list include Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen and Dwyane Wade, who have waited for the Heat to complete the new contracts before re-signing themselves with their Bird Rights and officially return to their team.

Because the team is operating within the salary cap, they can utilize a $2.7 million exception, though it is still unclear if the Heat will be able to retain Haslem without using all or part of it. The team also is re-signing Birdman afterwards using his Bird Rights to sign him "above" the salary cap. Some of the players who have had their rights renounced today could come back to the Heat, though likely on veteran minimum deals.

Additionally, Winderman reports that Haslem is "working on completing a multiyear contract that could carry him through to retirement."

As reported last night, Mario Chalmers also re-signed on a 2-year, $8.3 million deal.

Mike Conley, the agent for Oden, told Sun-Sentinel that "Greg just wants to be somewhere where he plays. He is open to a return."

As for Wade and Shuttlesworth:

Heat free agent Ray Allen isn't pressed to choose a team because he isn't certain if he still wants to play or retire, source told Yahoo.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 14, 2014

Based on Heat's moves yesterday & their commitments, appears Dwyane Wade lining up for a deal that starts at about $15 million

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 15, 2014