Should Miami Heat steer clear when it comes to Kevin Porter?
Q: It’s tempting because Houston is offering draft picks attached to Kevin Porter Jr. Miami could use those picks for a Damian Lillard trade, pay Porter Jr his salary, then waive him. A win, win? – Rodney.
A: No. It’s not tempting. It’s revolting, disturbing and disgusting if the felony assault and strangulation charges against Kevin Porter Jr. are upheld, or, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday, “the allegations here are horrific. No question about it.” So, yes, there are salary-cap gymnastics that could be put into play if Porter is banned from the league, with only $16.9 million guaranteed on the remainder of his salary. But until the case is resolved, and until the NBA acts regarding suspension or banishment, you then would have the player’s name associated with your franchise. There has to be more to a franchise’s dignity – or, dare we say it? Culture – than merely being able to acquire draft capital and perhaps a certain amount of salary-cap relief. The Heat have had ample opportunity previously to acquire Kevin Porter Jr. They consistently passed. They should again. Yes, innocent until proven guilty. But it doesn’t mean an outside team needs to take on that burden.
Q: Hi, Ira. My question is that may history repeat itself? Couple years ago we signed Kyle Lowry because someone on the team really wanted him. We have seen the result. Now we are pursuing Damian Lillard almost with the same ferocity. If successful, may history repeat itself? – Masoud, Tucson, Ariz.
A: First, let’s review: The Miami Heat have had Kyle Lowry on their roster for two seasons. The first season they finished a victory from the NBA Finals. The second season they finished three victories from a championship. Further, Kyle arguably was as key a component as any on the roster over the first half of last season. As for Damian Lillard, this is not a player lobbying the front office. This is a front office with an opportunity to land an elite contributor still at the top of his game.
Q: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Damian Lillard are no super team. Those three surrounded by minimum players would have five, six or seven teams that would easily compete with them. We use the term super team too lightly. Prime LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh was the last super team. – Jon.
A: I agree that “super team” is used way too often, as is “big three.” I also would posit that the Suns’ Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal arguably fall short. But the difference with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Damian Lillard is that they complement each other. This would not be Brooklyn with Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. So call it what you want, but I respectfully disagree with your notion that it wouldn’t put the Heat in the mix at the top of the conference.
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