Nick Richards’ one-year, $3.1 million deal with Miami is fully non-guaranteed and becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the roster when the season opens.

Under the veteran-minimum rules, his cap hit would be about $2.5 million if the Heat keep him, even though he would be paid the full $3.1 million.

“I just take it one day at a time,” Richards said. “Ultimately, it’s their decision.”

“He’s a very good rebounder. He can rebound in traffic. He can rebound above the crowd,” Erik Spoelstra said of the 28-year-old center.

Miami entered camp with 14 standard contracts. Forward Myron Gardner has only $500,000 of his $2.3 million salary guaranteed.

Two-way center Vladislav Goldin, who had 18 points and six rebounds against Minnesota in the preseason, may become expendable if Richards stays.

Nick Richards with Kentucky, March 2019. File photo: Thomas Savoja / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0. Resized.

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