Q: How could the Heat have thought that Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware and not other centers was a good idea. They obviously knew there was a problem when they brought Precious Achiuwa into camp. – Sid.
A: Because in their view, when cycling through the rotation, Nikola Jovic also was an option in the middle, with several other options to move into roles at power forward, such as Simone Fontecchio, Keshad Johnson, even Jaime Jaquez Jr., among others. The reality is that having Terry Rozier on the payroll and occupying a roster spot, as well as being so tight against the luxury tax, left the Heat in a tough spot with Bam Adebayo ailing. The questions remain why the rush to guarantee Keshad’s salary, as well as why not put more consideration into multiple big men on two-way contracts, instead of just Vlad Goldin?
Q: What happened to Nikola Jovic? He’s lost. – Art.
A: Wednesday night in Denver hardly was the best of nights for Nikola Jovic, closing 1 of 6 from the field, the Heat outscored by eight when he was on the court (to be fair, they were outscored by 14 when Kel’el Ware was in the game). Something just seems off with Nikola, who did take extra time icing down after Wednesday night’s game. Perhaps it was pushing through EuroBasket. Perhaps it is the reality that he simply is not a power player. But with Bam Adebayo ailing, Nikola has no choice but to make it work in the power rotation.
Q: In September, you reported that the Heat had talks with Terry Rozier on a contract buyout, but it didn’t go anywhere. Shouldn’t they try to buy him out now at a considerable discount? He could receive money he might never see and the Heat would get cap space they could immediately use. – Mark, Deerfield Beach.
A: Why? At this point, there is a chance the Heat get all the money back if the NBA voids Terry’s contract, or half back if the NBA suspends him (there is no cap relief if it is a Heat suspension). And, as pointed out in this space, the Heat would not get any room under the cap if Terry’s contract is voided by the NBA or if there is a league suspension, because of the Heat already being over the cap by more than the amount of Terry’s salary. Basically, it is now a waiting game, with the Heat waiting on the feds and the league.