The Miami Heat and Beno Udrih are close to an agreement on a contract buyout to offset the salary and tax implications of signing Joe Johnson.

Udrih is in the final year of two-year, $4.2 million contract he signed with the Grizzlies in 2014.

Udrih is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing foot surgery.

The Heat were $218,000 below the luxury tax line before signing Johnson and have made clear their plan is to avoid paying the tax. By reaching a buyout agreement with Udrih, Miami would balance out the salary of Johnson and other possible additions to the roster.

The Miami Heat were all-in on 2010 for several years to be positioned for that free agency class, but they now are operating for either 2016 or 2017.

The Heat have interest in Kevin Durant just as they targeted LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010.

"You've got to really see the big picture in where you are," Riley said this past week in carefully scripted comments offered through the Heat's in-house media outlets. "From 2014 to this point, once LeBron left, we had some decisions to make. We had always been looking at 2016 and 2017. Just like back in 2006 we looked at 2010."

The salary cap will jump in 2016 and again in 2017. Russell Westbrook will be a free agent in the 2017 class.

"What happens in '16 and '17, are the next two years of being able to build this team back to a championship contender," Riley said. "That's our goal. That's my goal. That's my desire."

Joe Johnson has committed to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers.

Johnson also strongly considered the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Miami Heat are considered the favorites to sign Joe Johnson.

Johnson was waived by the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. Johnson feels like he would be given a bigger role and more meaningful minutes with the Heat.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are also in contention to sign Johnson.

"Was just given a very high percentage that he's coming," writes Ethan Skolnick.

Chris Bosh is under increasing pressure from doctors and the Miami Heat to sit out the rest of the season due to the potential of a recurring medical condition.

Bosh missed the final 30 games of the 14-15 season after a blood clot moved from his calf to his lungs.

Bosh has a meeting planned with Heat officials, including Mickey Arison and Pat Riley, in the next 24 hours to move closer to a final determination on his status.

Bosh has been searching for ways to continue playing this season with the use of blood thinners but that scenario has been met with significant resistance.

Beno Udrih will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.

Udrih underwent an MRI on Tuesday and joins Tyler Johnson on the Miami Heat season-ending injury list.

Udrih averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 assists per game this season backing up Goran Dragic.

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Brian Roberts and a second round pick from the Miami Heat.

The Blazers will use their cap space to absorb Roberts and the Heat save on salary and the luxury tax. The Heat will move below the tax, saving $6 million.

The Miami Heat have traded Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans in a small salary dump move.

The Heat have been trying to lower their tax bill all season. 

The move will save the Heat $2.1 million in luxury tax and are now $2.6 million above the tax.

Chris Bosh has resumed taking blood thinners to treat a blood clot. Bosh hopes to be cleared to resume playing again this season.

Bosh withdrew from the All-Star Game due to a calf issue.

Bosh was forced to miss the second half of last season due to a blood clot.

Chris Bosh is dealing with another blood-clot scare one year after his season ended early.

Bosh will spend "the next few days" reviewing options and no determination will be made about his playing status until he goes through more tests and evaluation.

Bosh pulled out of the All-Star Game due to what was described as a calf problem.

Bosh has taken precautions over the last year to try and prevent the recurrence of a clot, including partnering with Janssen Pharmaceuticals.