Q: Ira, I thought the plan, or at least the talk, was that Bam Adebayo would play a lot this coming season as a power forward, but yet so far he has not been playing with Kel’el Ware. What’s up with that? Also what about Nikola Jovic’s preference and skill set as a small forward.? Why not during the preseason games play Bam, Ware and Jovic together and see how that works? – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: In the first two exhibitions, Erik Spoelstra made clear a desire to play as many as possible, which is why there effectively were line changes, with Bam Adebayo going out with the first unit when Kel’el Ware entered with the second. Eventually, we should see something closer to a regular-season rotation, which assuredly would have to include at least some Bam-Kel’el time together. But to cast Nikola Jovic in the wing rotation would only further crowd that element of the mix, considering we still haven’t seen Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis or Terry Rozier to this stage of the preseason.
Q: Ira, I realize it’s only exhibition season, but in a tie with five minutes to go, wouldn’t it help the team’s growth to put the starters in and learn how to win? It’s not like they played great in crunch time last season. – Jeff, Rochester, N.Y.
A: Not when your starters have sat since the end of a second period. That only would lead to strains and sprains. But there likely will come time for a dress rehearsal at some point during the preseason. Remember, the Heat play six exhibitions, the NBA maximum. So there will be time to practice closing time before the Oct. 22 season opener in Orlando.
Q: Let’s say the Heat thrive in Tyler Hero’s absence and Norman Powell picks up the slack of his missing scoring. Is there any scenario where you see the Heat moving on from Herro in a trade? – Bob, Davie.
A: Yes, but not because of what Norman Powell might or might not do on the court, but rather if there is a sense that Tyler Herro’s asking price on an extension far exceeds their value projection. That’s what makes this current 20-day negotiating period so intriguing. It might be as much about getting a read on Tyler’s financial future as necessarily getting a deal done by his Oct. 20 deadline.