Q: I think giving up the house for a 37-year-old Kevin Durant is a huge mistake. It is time to get younger, not older. – Mason.
A: Which is why the Heat clearly are not willing to give up the house, as was the case as well with Kevin Durant at the Feb. 6 NBA trading deadline. In all negotiations, prudence cannot be sacrificed. There is a correct price that prospects the Heat’s future, as well. To this stage, the Heat have shown the restraint to honor that limit. One prospect, matching salary and this year’s No. 20 pick? Fine. Another well-protected pick? Possibly. Anything more requires deep deliberation.
Q: I would prefer to keep Kel’el Ware, on a rookie contract with huge upside out of a Kevin Durant trade, than overpaying Bam Adebayo as a max-player who has plateaued and is never going to provide the consistent offense that is needed to win a championship. Am I crazy? – Brian, Miami Shores.
A: The way I look at players as trade assets or as keepers is whether they can be played or strategized off the floor. For all his unique 7-foot length, I think that has been and can continue to be the case with Kel’el Ware, just as it has been for other 7-footers in playoff situations, including Rudy Gobert. By contrast, Bam Adebayo will always have a place in such situations, even when opponents successfully go small. It is why Bam is by far more of a keeper, and why, if necessary, I would not overstate parting with Kel’el Ware in a potential trade for Kevin Durant.
Q: Ira, I don’t see a downside in bringing Alec Burks back. – Stephen.
A: At the minimum salary, it is hard to find a reason not to. Hard – but not impossible. For example, if Duncan Robinson returns in some form (a longer-term deal at less per year is a possibility), if a shooter is added in the draft, if Josh Christopher is the preference, there yet could be alternate paths. So while an agreement could come with Alec as soon as Friday (a day after the potential end of the NBA Finals), I’m not sure anything gets done that expediently, even with as much as Alec would like to return.