Notes from Middlesbrough

The Miami Cold 44's made a roster move. Heywood Highsmith was traded to BKLN along with a 2032 second round draft pick for Rust's conditional second-rounder in 2026. The move is strictly financial. With it Miami, belatedly coming to understanding of the current CBA, have shed enough salary to get under the NBA's tax threshold. Rubbing salt in wounds to pay a tax for a middling team for whom 45-37 would be "a great year". This and, e.g. the Duncan Donut trade, signal that the org. knows that it's more of the same ol' this season and are semi-tanking in advance of what is supposed to be a loaded draft class in 2026  and are freeing up the money it can to go after a "whale" next summer, or at least a big fish. The team now has two open roster spots.