Q: Ira, while this could be the time for the Heat to make it a football town again, with Giannis in and the Dolphins down, won’t the Hurricanes still have a say? – Andrew.
A: The “football town” or “basketball town” stuff has long rung hollow when it comes to South Florida. A market this size should be able to support success across the sports spectrum. The Heat and Hurricanes (or even Dolphins at another time) both can enjoy shared success. It’s not an either/or. When a market has teams from all four major sports leagues (or all five, if you want to count MLS), it should also have the ability to thrive when all are successful. To their credit, the local teams have made a point through social media of wishing success for the others. When many win in a sports market, it makes it a better sports market. And based on their bonding already, don’t be surprised if there isn’t a Heat field trip to Hard Rock Stadium at some point this season.
Q: Ira, you have probably been asked this but is releasing Dru Smith an option for the Heat or will that hurt their cap? I ask because instead of using the 15th spot for some of the names rumored such as Devin Carter, Bruce Brown, Gabe Vincent, D’Angelo Russell, Walter Clayton, etc. Would it be best to release Smith and get one of those guys in the 14th spot. It appears Smith has a solid floor but limited ceiling for the team. – Carl.
A: Dru Smith’s contract is guaranteed, and therefore would count against the hard cap whether he is released or otherwise. But the Heat currently have the wherewithal to add a 15th player immediately without regard to their hard cap, without a simultaneous player move. Plus, the Heat also could sign a player in place of Nick Richards and his nonguaranteed deal or sign a player in place of Myron Gardner and his $500,000 guarantee. So the Heat have the wherewithal to sign two players immediately (with the vacant 15th roster spot and in place of Richards) and then the wherewithal to sign a player in place of Gardner in December. In effect, three roster spots can be swapped out . . . but for whom? Or, as is expected, they can bank that cash to see what develops on the buyout market.
Q: I think Giannis Antetokounmpo can put up around 55 wins this season easy. – J.J.
A: But this isn’t just about Giannis Atenkounmpo, because if it was as simple as doing it alone, he never would have had to leave Milwaukee. He chased a supporting cast that could uplift him. That makes this season about uplifting. It’s not solely about what Giannis can do, it’s about what Giannis plus Bam Adebayo plus Andrew Wiggins plus Davion Mitchell plus more can do.