Q: Ira, lots of smiling faces on Heat social media with Andrew Wiggins. What do you make of that? – Andrew.
A: First, as stressed in this space multiple times, the Heat’s business side, social media and marketing divisions operate to a degree in their own spheres. So mostly it is a case of between Andrew Wiggins’ visit to China and then time back at Kaseya Center, there has been an opportunity for such social media. At no point (and I could be wrong) do I think the Heat’s basketball operations tells the team’s media wing to promote particular moments of warm and fuzzy with a player. That said, it also would be the right thing to do, since it never felt during Andrew’s abbreviated time with the team last season that there was a complete embrace from either side. The transition appeared difficult for Andrew after the stability he developed with the Warriors, and Andrew’s ailments made it difficult for the Heat to fully explore his possibilities. He is a very good player, one who makes his team better. So if the Heat want to offer a reminder that he is still here, is back to work, and is fitting in, it should not matter whether the impetus is from the team’s social-media wing or otherwise. After an offseason of trade conjecture, the Heat are moving forward with Andrew. So showing he is moving forward with the Heat hardly is a bad thing.
AW 🤝 KW pic.twitter.com/sGu5V3x3pG
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 21, 2025
Q: Expecting a guy averaging five points in five years to be better after an ACL injury and Achilles tear is delusional. – Darius.
A: Perhaps, but when it comes to Dru Smith, the greater question is whether such expectations are cost effective. At the league minimum, there always will be a roster place for a guard with defensive chops and 3-point range. Now, does Dru still have that? That’s why the three-year contract comes only with the first season guaranteed, a seemingly reasonable risk/reward. And, as has been stressed in this space before, if your greatest concern is your 14th man, well, then you don’t have great concerns at all.
Q: OK, Nikola Jovic going right at Luka Doncic for the and-one, I’m sold. Let the kid play loose and free, forget what position you want to call it. Or to put it another way, who on the Heat roster is more creative than Jovic? Don’t limit a maestro. – Theo.
A: The funny thing is I tuned in Thursday’s Serbia-Slovenia exhibition just as Nikola Jovic was completing his plus-one driving basket. But let’s also not lose sight of the fact that whether for Slovenia or the Lakers, it’s not as if Luka Doncic is the defensive marker by which offensive proficiency can be calculated. But, yes, Nikola plays in a lose-and-free way replicated by few others on the Heat roster. Such juice certainly should be welcomed and embraced. But it also has to come with a degree of proficiency, meaning the turnovers have to be within reason, positioning has to be correct. If Erik Spoelstra can meet Nikola halfway, it could be a win-win proposition for all involved – including fans who would appreciate a bit more spice with their Heat.