Q: Ira, with Tyler Herro out for 14 games, this is shaping up to a year to take stock of what we have in our younger players and hopefully fans will enjoy the potential of this core of younger players. potentially picking up a talented player in the 2026 draft and realigning the books for something much better when it is there either in ’26 or ’27. I will enjoy this team this year playing the younger guys, knowing that the time will come for contending again if we build some through the draft and some through free agency or a trade. But as of right now the team is in my opinion taking the right approach. – Jerry, Miami.
A: Still not sold that a 14-game absence by Tyler Herro would get the Heat to back away from the longstanding goal of playing every game to win and playing every season to make the playoffs. Now, if those 14 go 5-9 or something worse, then it could be time to reconsider. As to your other point, still not sold that this fanbase would stand in loyalty and in attendance and in television viewership to follow a developmental approach to a record even worse than last season’s 37-45. That typically has not been the case in South Florida.
Q: I think Nikola Jovic being healthy for a full season, having missed around 50% of the games his first three years, is key. I can envision him duplicating Tyler Herro’s sixth-man award season, being first off the bench at backup small forward and power forward, and even as a point guard, depending on the situation. Also, having gotten stronger last season, he showed a willingness to go inside to complement his perimeter game of shooting and passing. – Michael, Boynton Beach.
A: I agree that Nikola Jovic’s game might best be suited to play as a sixth man, offering a change of pace. Granted, Tyler Herro’s injury might change the lineup calculus, but if Davion Mitchell starts, then a case could be made for Jovic as the bench spark. But the likelihood remains of Niko playing mostly in the power rotation, based on the current composition of the roster – whether that is fair to Niko or not. According to the play-by-play breakdown at Basketball Reference, Niko played 90% of his minutes last season at power forward, 7% at center and 3% at small forward. Over his three Heat seasons, 98% of his minutes have been at power forward or center.
Q: Lottery pick incoming, – Kevin.
A: Well at least the Heat control full rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which would not have been the case if they were in the lottery in June. Now, they still need to get it right, with their 2027 (lottery-protected) or ’28 first-rounder (unprotected) due to the Hornets from the Terry Rozier trade.