Miami Heat and #039; Erik Spoelstra and#039;underpaid and#039; Despite Big Contract: Miami Heat EnforcerErik Spoelstra Still Underpaid Despite Record Contract: NBA EnforcerGet Heat NewsUpdated January 10, 2024 11:03 AMMiami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra signed a $12 million contract extension.GettyMiami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra received a new $120 million contract extension.It was good news for the Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra on Tuesday, as Spoelstra received the richest contract in NBA history, worth $120 million over eight years.The Athletic’s Shams Charania was the first to report, writing on Twitter/X: “Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra — two-time NBA champion and top 20 all-time coach in wins — signs new contract extension with franchise, making him one of its highest-paid head coaches.Then ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported how much Spoelstra would earn here: “ESPN sources: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s contract extension includes most committed coaching money in history: eight years , more than $120 million. .”All in all, a good salary. But considering what Spoelstra did with the Heat in Miami, he may still not have enough. That’s according to one Eastern Conference executive who spoke to Heavy Sports about the deal.”He’s still unpaid,” the manager said with a laugh. But he meant it. More on that to come.Erik Spoelstra is 725-506 in his careerCertainly Spoelstra has earned his new contract extension as he has posted his record with several different teams over the years. He started with the Heat in 1995 as a 25-year-old video coordinator and became an assistant coach two years later. He took over as head coach in 2008 from 38-year-old Pat Riley.Since then, Spoelstra has compiled a record of 725-506 and established himself as arguably the best coach in the NBA. There have certainly been coaches who have had success and longevity, but their success has usually been tied to one or two players. For example, Gregg Popovich with Tim Duncan and the Spurs or Jerry Sloan with Karl Malone and John Stockton in Utah.But Spoelstra coached Dwyane Wade-centric Miami Heat teams. He coached LeBron James’ Big Three teams. He coached post-LeBron teams. He now coaches the Jimmy Butler Heat. And he made the playoffs in 12 of 15 years.“Erik Spoelstra started as the Heat’s video coordinator in 1995. 29 Years Later in Miami:725 Wins109 Playoff Wins (5th All-Time)3x Finnish Champions (2x 4-44 HC) Signed 8 Years/ $ 120M+ ExtensionCoach Spo’s Job 4 Saves Not Miami44” He 4 Saves Not Miami a lot of money with developmentBut when it comes to compensation, according to the NBA executive, it is absolutely true that Spoelstra is still underpaid. His extension will cost an average of more than $15 million per year, but Spoelstra’s ability to identify and develop young role players is far more valuable to the Heat.”They’re going to get good minutes from guys like (Haywood) Highsmith, Orlando Robinson, Jamal Cain,” the manager said. “They pay these guys about $5 million total. That’s a huge asset when you’re building a roster and you know your coach is going to squeeze something out of the 10th, 11th, two-way guys. How many good teams do that? Nothing. Miami only.“This is what makes Erik Spoelstra different, what makes him special. They had (Max) Strus and Gabe Vincent starting NBA Finals ($1.8 million) contracts. Because he developed them. It’s not just him—they have the whole system—but he runs the show. He saves them over $15 million a year. Seriously, he’s still underpaid.”Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter who covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of NBA experience, including 17 years as Sporting News’ NBA editor. Deveney is the author of 7 non-fiction books including “Fun City,andquot; andquot;Before Wrigley became Wrigley,andquot; and andquot;Michael Jordan’s face.andquot; More information Sean DeveneyRead more.
Leave a Reply