Q: Ira, the Hornets got Collin Sexton for practically nothing from the Jazz. That would have a power move for the do-nothing Heat. – Michael.
A: For all of the Heat’s needs, I think that after the draft and their early work in free agency that a smallish scoring guard is not exactly a priority. With Davion Mitchell re-signed, and with Kasparas Jakucionis taken No. 20 in the draft, that has the Heat with Davion, Kasparas, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith (expected back on a two-way deal) to work with in their backcourt. (And that’s even getting to Terry Rozier.) There certainly is ample intrigue with that group not to have to go out and feel compelled to make a move for a player such as Collin Sexton. And that doesn’t even get into the eventual positional fit for Jaime Jaquez Jr. (or whether Nikola Jovic will continue to insist that he is a guard). Similarly, with Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Jovic (sorry, he’s 6-10), Haywood Highsmith (he plays bigger), Kevin Love and perhaps the promise of Vlad Goldin, the Heat also have their depth in the power rotation. At this point, the focus should be on the wing, where there basically are Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a wing and a prayer.
Q: Duncan Robinson (sign-and-trade), Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., first-rounder and two future seconds for LeBron James. – Dade.
A: Get the sense I’m going to be getting a lot of these in the wake of LeBron James’ less-than-effusive opt-in with the Lakers. But please try to keep apron rules in mind, as well as the common sense of what landing spot actually sets up as a contender.
Q: That Panthers are trying to bring everyone back so everything stays the same. Why are the Heat trying to bring everyone back? – Chaz.
A: I see what you did there. (And also am struggling to find a reasonable answer..) OK, here goes (and without any type of conviction): Because the Heat perhaps want to see how this all works without the weeks-on-end distraction of Jimmy Butler? (OK, that was weak, and still think there has to be a significant trade by the Heat to shake this up.)