Q: Don’t you think that under the circumstances of the attrition over a short time span due to Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin leaving as free agents, Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker aging out, and Jimmy Butler abdicating that Heat management made a very good roster reset in acquiring seven new regular rotational players in Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Simone Fontecchio and Kasparas Jakucionis. Don’t you think that it’s premature by two years when this was only the first full season of those seven playing together and with Butler gone, and good young prospects Ware, Pelle and Kas are just beginning to scratch the surface of their development, for the majority of the fanbase and local media to be declaring that the front office has failed with negative comment after comment like being outflanked by other front offices? The historical record says that Pat Riley has already (relatively rapidly) turned the franchise around four times, for which I give them a huge benefit of the doubt. – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: But don’t you think that the voice of reason has long been replaced by outside noise? Fans want it all and they want it yesterday. I’m not sure you can go through this past season’s roster and cite any “mistake” other than the Nikola Jovic contract (the Terry Rozier mistake previously was made). Tyler Herro wasn’t extended. Norman Powell wasn’t extended. No draft picks were dealt. Now, a case could have been made for failing to obtain capital at the trade deadline when it was clear this wasn’t a contention season. But swings and misses? In fact, of those who left, it’s not as if there was a significant net loss, especially when considering Max Strus’ recent injury history. Sometimes it takes time.
Q: You blamed the front office for giving Erik Spoelstra a roster with only four players who’ve appeared in an All-Star game (all under the age of 33) and a Sixth Man of the Year finalist. How many more All-Stars does he need just to make the playoffs? – Sidney, Deerfield Beach.
A: No blame, just reality. And one-time All-Stars can be a dime a dozen. Among one-time All-Stars currently active are DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, Kristaps Porzingis, Jarrett Allen and Alperen Sengun, as well as the Heat’s Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell. This is a superstar league. Get one of them, then you continually contend. And those are the hardest to get.
Q: As you’ve described the growth of so many teams in the East, the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo – given what would needed to be given up to acquire him – would he and the remainder be enough for the Heat to be a top -four team in the East? – Michael, Port St. Lucie.
A: That would depend on the version of Giannis Antetokounmpo you would be getting, whether it would be one who stays healthy, appears in most games and is motivated to get back into the MVP discussion. Based on what would be sent out (starting, likely with Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware), you still could round out a lineup beyond Giannis with Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell, with the likes of Pelle Larsson and/or Jaime Jaquez Jr. (one of the two might go out), Kasparas Jakucionis and a shooter acquired in free agency. I would think that could at least put you up there with New York and Cleveland.