East remix means moving targets for Heat

LAS VEGAS — The lesson from last summer is that the early perceptions in NBA free agency often aren’t the final and definitive reads.

To a degree, the Utah Jazz’s approach a year ago with Donovan Mitchell stands as Exhibit A regarding rush to judgments. The deal for Mitchell that lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a higher plane of contention did not go down until Sept. 3.

So amid the holding patterns with Damian Lillard and James Harden, perspective please.

All you see at the moment, a week after the free-agency starting line, likely is not all you’re going to get.

But, still, with moves — lots of them — already made, there at least is an assessment stage of how the initial moves in the Eastern Conference impact the level of what the Miami Heat will be up against next season, Lillard or otherwise.

Boston Celtics: Without question, the team with the shakeup to this stage in the conference, arguably changing the face of the East race.

From the feistiness of Marcus Smart, who was shipped out to the Memphis Grizzlies, there now is the sizable challenge of Kristaps Porzingis. Also, don’t discount the Celtics’ loss of Heat pest Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks,

Otherwise, largely window dressing, with Dalano Blanton and Oshae Brissett arriving and Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala going out.

Milwaukee Bucks: This never was about recalibration, it was about retention, with Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez back for more. So, again, arguably as good or better as anyone in the East.

Everything else was largely ancillary, with Malik Beasley and Robin Lopez in, and Joe Ingles and Jevon Carter out (albeit somewhat of a net loss in that part of the equation).

Philadelphia 76ers: As with the Heat’s overtures with Lillard, there can be no true read on the 76ers until the Harden situation is resolved.

For now, an apparent subtle downgrade, with Georges Niang, Jalen McDaniels and Shake Milton going out and Patrick Beverley arriving.