Could there be multiple Miami Heat answers this offseason?
Q: Hi, why no mention of Nikola Vucevic? He can also do what Brook Lopez can in terms of size and stretching the floor. And why wouldn’t Miami have enough FA currency by letting Max Strus and Gabe Vincent go? – Marc, Arlington, Texas.
A: Because the Heat are operating above the salary cap, well above the salary cap, parting with Max Strus and Gabe Vincent would not open any salary-cap space, since the Heat still would stand well beyond that threshold, when counting the contracts of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson (all of those, at least for now). The Heat would have to unload some of those deals for little to nothing in return to even consider being able to get into the cap-space race, and even that might not be enough. So if a player is a free agent, outside of a sign-and-trade, which new rules also limit, any such acquisition would be difficult. As for your suggestion, my point about Brook Lopez was that he not only could space the offense, but also provide quality defense against opposing big men. I’m not sure that “quality defense” is a phrase often associated with Nikola Vucevic, even with all of his Heat killing over the years.
Q: I think that sometimes we Heat fans – myself included – expect winning to an unreasonable point. This past season has really been great, as have many seasons before. Having said that, it is clear the team needs some upgrading, especially at power forward, which is why I suggest a bid for Kyle Kuzma. He is not a “whale” but he could fill a real need without costing the Heat their future. – Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: Again, no cap space, so therefore no ability to make pitches of significance in free agency. That is why it almost is better for the Heat if players with options stay in their contracts, with the trade market the more likely avenue for the Heat to upgrade. Kyle Kuzma has a $13 million player option for next season. There is no reason, in today’s NBA economy, for him not to opt out.
Q: Hi, Ira. Do you think the new NBA rule that stars have to play 65 games for postseason awards would adversely affect playoff Jimmy Butler? – Brian, San Marcos, Calif.
A: No, because I don’t think any type of regular-season accolades matter to Jimmy Butler, even All-Star berths (he basically said as much to ESPN and NBA TV at the Finals). He knows the stage where he can make the greatest impact and create his ultimate legacy is the playoffs. So the hope remains that while all the awards are being announced early in the postseason, he will continue to be in action. That proved the case this season, when he played 64 games.
