Q: Ira, when the Heat lost to the Cavaliers, Erik Spoelstra said seven other teams would be joining them on the sidelines after the first round. He was off by one, since Memphis already was eliminated. But I would take every one of those other seven first-round losers over the Heat. So don’t tell me there are only eight teams better than Miami, as Spoelstra inferred. – Chris.

A: Well, let’s take this on a case-by-case basis starting in the East. Orlando, with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs would appear better situated. Detroit, with the youth core led by Cade Cunningham certainly are on the uptick, although I’m not sure I would say their personnel, at least at this stage, is decidedly better than the Heat’s (but it appears to be growing into a better place). As for the Bucks, they are equally unsettled. Out West, the Grizzlies and Rockets certainly have the youth of the future. But the Lakers and Clippers have the feel of teams that might have maxed out as currently designed. In that regard, the Heat have company when it comes to the concerns of this season’s first-round losers. (The problem, though, could be those that finished behind the Heat being better positioned, including a return to health of the 76ers.)

Q: Ira, Do you really think we’ll see meaningful changes this summer? Seems like when there’s a lack of options, the Heat usually maintain the status quo. Tyler Herro will get his extension, cause we drafted him, and he’s put in the work to improve. And I don’t see them trading Andrew  Wiggins for anyone better, so they’ll probably move forward with him, too. Unless a star shakes free, I’d expect to see most of this group going forward.   – John, Ocala.

A: What you do is compile your asset package and have that ready in case a deal is possible. The Trail Blazers did not think enough of the packages the Heat could offer for Damian Lillard in the 2023 offseason. But there still is a package to be constructed, floated and utilized in negotiations. The Heat are in a position where they at least have to explore. That’s what 10th-place teams do.

Q: In prior years, Caleb Martin,  Derrick Jones Jr., Max Strus and Gabe Vincent all overachieved and excelled with the Heat.  This year, Terry Rozier Jr., Jaime Jacquez Jr., Duncan Robinson and Andrew Wiggins all regressed and underachieved.  Any ideas why? – Stuart. 

A: Regression to the developmental mean? In the end, it often comes down to quality players making other players better. If you don’t have enough quality at the top (the Heat don’t), then it’s hard to make other players better.