Erik Spoelstra Contract: Latest News, Rumors on Negotiations with Heat
The Miami Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra are reportedly close to agreeing on a contract extension after the 45-year-old led the squad to a 48-34 record and a Southeast Division title last season.
Continue for updates.
Heat, Spoelstra Closing in on New Terms
Tuesday, June 28
According to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat "are progressing on completion of a multiyear contract extension" with Spoelstra's deal set to expire at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Spoelstra has posted a record of 399-241 since taking over as Miami's head coach in 2008, and he ranks seventh among active head coaches in wins.
| Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs | 1,089-485 | .692 |
| Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers | 753-553 | .577 |
| Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks | 661-471 | .584 |
| Nate McMillan, Indiana Pacers | 478-452 | .514 |
| Mike D'Antoni, Houston Rockets | 455-426 | .516 |
| Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons | 442-407 | .602 |
| Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat | 399-241 | .623 |
Spoelstra also ranks sixth among active coaches in winning percentage (.623), but two of the bosses ahead of him are Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Cleveland Cavaliers head honcho Tyronn Lue, who have been at the helm for one year and half a season, respectively.
And as Wojnarowski mentioned, Spoelstra "is the second-longest active tenured coach with one team, behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich."
A two-time champion who has helped carry out Heat president Pat Riley's vision for the club from on-court and culture perspectives over the past eight years, Spoelstra is firmly cemented as one of the league's premier leaders.
He should be compensated as such when the terms are agreed upon.
