Q: Ira, play-in loss and pray for a top lottery pick for a star player. Let’s be here. – Ray, Miami.
A: Let’s be real here: If the Heat lose in the play-in, they likely will be seeded No. 13 or No. 14 in the lottery. If they make it out of the play-in, no matter what happens in the playoffs, they likely will be No. 15. Yes, the lottery adds the luck factor, but as Tankathon noted after Monday night’s victory over the 76ers, the Heat in the lottery would be seeded for a 0.5% chance of the No. 1 pick and a 2.4% chance of a top-four pick. OK, I’ll bite: Things that have a roughly 2% chance of happening are being born with green eyes, being born a redhead or having fraternal twins. So, yes, if the Heat chose to lose in the play-in, it would increase their chances of drafting a green-eyed redhead who is a fraternal twin. (That said, I asked Google Gemini: “NBA player with green eyes and red hair who is a twin?” The answer spit out was thus: “The NBA player you’re likely thinking of is Cody Martin (or his identical twin brother, Caleb Martin). While most fans identify them by their athleticism or college careers at NC State and Nevada, they are among the few prominent NBA players with a distinct combination of light/greenish eyes and hair that often has a reddish or auburn tint, especially when grown out or viewed under bright arena lights.”)
Q: Let’s hope sincerely we end up 8th seed or higher. – Klif.
A: So someone willing to value the play-in over the lottery? Interesting. But, yes, if the play-in is viewed by the Heat as a vehicle toward more of a successful season, then getting into that Nos. 7-8 play-in game is key, since it means two chances for the playoffs. Worth noting is that in the Heat’s three previous trips to the play-in, only once did they win their first play-in game. So two chances are better than one.
Q: Why is it so hard for you to let go of the Tyler Herro-as-potential-star for this team? He is a talented scorer, but he’s empty calories. The team is mid at best with him playing. The recent years when we’ve had success he’s been injured. But he’s mostly injured. He’s a fool’s gold player who intrigued us with his bubble play, and even then at the end, injured. Time to move on. – Jim, Mooresville, N.C.
A: Nope, not what I’ve been saying. The perspective here is that Tyler Herro still has a season (2026-27) under contract, so the Heat can play it out, without need or reason to extend him. Now, if he earns his way back in with a solid 2026-27, then it becomes something that can be dealt with in free agency. And, in the interim, if something better comes along in a trade, then moving on certainly is an option. The NBA is a scoring league. The Heat need scoring – especially if Norman Powell walks during free agency.