Stein: Mason-to-Heat Proposal Declined
Via TrueHoop:
The Spurs were hoping to tempt Miami into absorbing Mason’s $3.8 million expiring contract into a $4.3 million trade exception that would have enabled the teams to complete a deal without San Antonio needing to take back another player. A future second-round pick from the Heat would have completed the transaction.
But the Heat, dealing with their own luxury-tax issues like San Antonio and reluctant to add to their payroll, ultimately declined.
Other than the Spurs willingness to move Mason for practically nothing but tax relief, this report doesn’t provide us with much insight as the trade season’s penultimate day comes to a close.
Miami’s trade exception expired Monday at midnight, so this particular deal cannot be revived. Although there is no reason to believe the Heat have soured on Mason, and a different looking deal with Miami could get done by tomorrow’s deadline, I’m a bit skeptical. Both teams seem set on the same goal- limiting their exposure to the luxury tax- and most easily conceivable deals would achieve that outcome for only one franchise.
N.B. This rumor has been around for a couple of days but it’s worth mentioning that Memphis may have some interest in Mason as well.



