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Heat to lose second-round pick for Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade infraction

If Miami makes the playoffs this year, they will lose a second-round pick in 2022.

By Diego Quezada
/ new
Miami Heat v Toronto Raptors - Game Seven Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA opened up a tampering investigation into the Miami Heat’s sign-and-trade deal for Kyle Lowry on Aug. 7. Today, the NBA finally handed down the punishment — a lost second-round pick.

The league concluded that Miami had “impermissible discussions” with representatives of Lowry before the Aug. 2 6 p.m. start of free agency. If the Heat make the playoffs this season, they would forfeit the lesser of a 2022 Philadelphia or Denver second-round pick.

The team released a statement saying that while they disagree, they accept the league’s decision and are moving forward with the season.

Many viewed the punishment from the league as a slap on the wrist, as teams freely attach second-round picks in trades. (Also relevant: the Heat traded three second-round picks in 2019 to trade for KZ Okpala, who hasn’t panned out.)

As I mentioned back in August, the Heat’s decision to pick up the team option on Goran Dragic’s contract was widely seen as a precursor to the Lowry sign-and-trade. That allowed the Heat to have the outgoing salary, along with Precious Achiuwa, to absorb Lowry’s new contract.

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