Q: Should the Heat see if Charlotte would take the pick the Heat received from Golden State at No. 20 and return the Heat’s 2027 pick? Then Miami would have full control over their first-round picks going forward for use in future trades. – George, Boca Raton.
A: They could see, but there is no way that is happening. Based on what happens to the Heat going forward, the Hornets yet could wind up with an unprotected first-round pick from the Heat (in 2028. if the Heat are in the ’27 lottery by failing to make the 2027 playoffs). The ultimate value with any draft pick is how it could be utilized in a package for a future deal. Once it is utilized, it loses value, like a car driven off the lot. What teams want nothing more is a “future” draft pick, an asset the Hornets will continue to hold from that Terry Rozier trade for at least two more years. But remember, if the Heat trade the pick from the Warriors for a future first-rounder, they still could unlock most, if not all, of their first-round future. Now, what I might at least try to do is offer the Hornets No. 20 to cancel the 2027/28 obligation and toss in a sweetener, perhaps Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr.? Do I think even that would get it done? No. But might as well see.
Q: The Heat need a highly skilled offensive coordinator. Offense has never been an Erik Spoelstra strength, and he has a hard time adjusting to his player’s strengths. For example, he tried to change his offense this year and it alienated Jimmy Butler (I know there were other issues with Butler but you cannot simply ignore that Butler, probably correctly, felt he was not properly incorporated into the offense), completely messed up Bam Adebayo, saw regression in young players beyond what would normally have been expected, and ultimately came off as a rather ham-handed debacle that a more nuanced, skilled offensive coach should have been able to handle better. Past Spoelstra teams also suffered from lack of offensive creativity and adjustment to player strengths. Is there any organizational impetus toward getting offensive coaching help? – Andrew, Coral Gables.
A: “Organizational impetus” really isn’t a thing. It comes down to an Erik Spoelstra decision. So unless one of his assistants moves on elsewhere, I would doubt a staff shakeup. But Spoelstra also comes back every year with something different, so perhaps next time it will be something better, as well.
Q: Hi, Ira. Is it almost a certainty that the Heat buy out Duncan Robinson’s final year at the discounted rate or do they hold on to him to include in a trade? If he’s not traded during the offseason, it’s the buyout right? – David.
A: Not that simple, since Duncan Robinson’s 2025-26 contract becomes fully guaranteed for $19.9 million in early July, so it’s not as if the Heat can wait to see if there is a deal that can utilize his full salary. If the Heat bypass that guarantee, Robinson still gets $9.9 million to walk away. Certainly the thought could be to simply bring back Alec Burks on another minimum deal, waive Robinson’s non-guaranteed money and wind up with an overall net savings.
Originally Published: May 4, 2025 at 6:05 AM EDT