Q: Ira, you said that the current trio of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins weren’t enough to contend in the strengthening East. You know what? You’re probably right. However, hear me out: Why give up on Wiggs or Kel’el Ware or Duncan Robinson this summer until you know what Ware’s sophomore improvements might be, or how Wiggs fits after a full training camp/season with us, or how Duncan performs for his next contract in ’26-27. And don’t forget about Nikola Jovic. If you can bring in a serviceable point guard utilizing something other than a draft pick, why not ride this pony for another year? This year was quite tumultuous, everyone can agree on that. Let’s let everyone exhale. We can’t expect to be contenders every year; that’s why we’re in the fix we’re in now. As a fan, give me enjoyable, competitive basketball, with committed players, and I can wait a couple of years to contend again. Now, if Kevin Durant becomes available without having to trade any of the trio, then all bets are off. – Cheryl, For Lauderdale.
A: First, contracts would have to be sent out to match salary in any Kevin Durant trade, so there’s that. Plus, it’s not as if the Heat can come close in draft capital to match packages of picks from other teams. But to your greater point, I also would take no issue with this core, plus at least one more pick, and hopefully a year of health and stability. After this season’s rollercoaster, there could be something to be said for simply moving on to less drama. Still, it would help to be able to get more of an extended read to Andrew Wiggins’ possibilities alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Each game Wiggins misses reduces that analysis.
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Q: Despite the distractions of Jimmy Butler-gate and outside criticism of Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, I’d like to give both kudos. To Pat, for drafting Kel’el Ware at 15, recognizing the need for more size, signing Alec Burks as a free agent, and engineering a five-team trade bringing Andrew Wiggins (starting) and Davion Mitchell and Kyle Anderson to the rotation. And to Spo for ignoring the outside pressure to start Ware while preparing him to be the impact player we are now seeing, transitioning Bam to power forward in a two-big lineup as the rest of the league is getting bigger, and keeping the players motivated and invested while dealing with Jimmy-gate and injuries. – Michael, Boynton Beach.
A: And also credit Andy Elisburg for making the math work in the Jimmy Butler trade, and Adam Simon and his scouting staff, for targeting Kel’el Ware. Even teams with losing records can make positive strides. Sometimes the most laudable achievements are those accomplished amid adversity.
Q: Ira, with the way Donovan Mitchell is playing, does he follow Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin and find a lucrative contract somewhere else, or do they overpay him like they did for Duncan Robinson and Hassen Whiteside? – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: First the Heat see if they can get the best of all worlds and bring back Davion Mitchell on his one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer. Otherwise, there needs to be prudence, since the Heat are poised to ...
