The Miami Heat are closing in on a contract extension with head coach Erik Spoelstra, according to a report by Yahoo! Sports.
Spoelstra is currently set to enter the 2016-17 season in the final year of his contract. This would make Spoelstra a "lame duck" which is something most professional sports teams look to avoid.
Since taking over as head coach, Spoelstra has led Miami to a 399-241 record in his eight seasons. Spoelstra has dealt with adversity and with numerous roster changes along the way. Even with a star-studded roster, Spoelstra's decision making at times played a role in Miami's championships.
If Miami fails to extend Spoelstra, he would enter next year as a free-agent coach. With a high success rate and two titles under his belt, Spoelstra would likely generate tremendous interest in the market. The Heat apparently want to avoid this scenario and have Spoelstra locked in for years to come.
Spoelstra is 45 and the Heat has led Miami to the NBA finals four times. His time in Miami only trails Gregg Popovich for the longest active tenure as far as NBA coaches go. Like Popovich, Spoelstra has not only had great success but has also earned the respect of his front office.
The Heat should be active in the free-agent market which is mere days away from opening up. Spoelstra could see a number of new names on his bench next season, and a return to the NBA finals is a likely expectation.
