Overview
- Gardner was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal that pays the 2025–26 minimum of $395,029.
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, as relayed by Yahoo Sports, reports a $500,000 partial guarantee for 2026–27 and a non-guaranteed 2027–28.
- Hoops Rumors reports the second year becomes fully guaranteed if Gardner is on the roster past January 7, 2027, and says the third year is fully guaranteed unless he is waived by July 15, 2027.
- Hoops Rumors adds that Miami used a portion of its non-taxpayer mid-level exception to complete the multi-year contract.
- Related moves include Haywood Highsmith’s two-year Suns deal with a $1 million partial for 2026–27 and knee protections, unilateral conversions for Caleb Houstan (Hawks) and Spencer Jones (Nuggets), and recent one-year two-way signings for Tyrese Martin, Trevor Keels, and Jeenathan Williams plus a two-season two-way for Riley Minix.