Q: Sign Ryan Nembhard now. – R.O.F.
A: This came in response to the reporting that after being acquired from the Hawks, Ryan Nembhard likely would be waived by the Hornets. And, yes, there is plenty in the skillset of the former undrafted Mavericks guard that could help the Heat. And, yes, this is a player that last season against the Heat went for 15 points and 13 assists in a Dallas victory. But this issue, at least from this perspective, is Nembhard is listed by the NBA at 5-11 and the Heat recently have refrained from such frames, and already are trying to make it work with one in Davion Mitchell. Now, at the minimum salary, it certainly could be worth a look. But the Heat’s perspective remains that bigger is better.
Q: Pat Riley should just sign D’Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent already. I’d even bring Victor Oladipo back. – Tuff.
A: First, D’Angelo Russell, at least for the moment remains with the Grizzlies, although a buyout or a waiver certainly is possible. With Gabe Vincent, it could be a matter of requiring a degree of guarantee. And with Victor Oladipo, being in win-now mode likely means sentiment being pushed aside. If anything, the Russell possibility is why you wait to see what might shake free during the preseason. At the moment, the Heat have room below their hard cap for only one veteran at the NBA minimum. So you have to be selective, and patient.
Q: Ira, in my very uneducated opinion, there are eight teams in the East that could finish first, and any of those eight could be eighth. And possibly, Atlanta or Orlando could get into the top eight and one or two of the eight could be on the road in the play-in. It should be a really interesting season. – Howard.
A: And that is why every game, as grueling as the 82-game season can be, likely will matter for the Heat this season. Two, three or four wins this season could mean the difference between two, three or four seeds. It should be that competitive.