Q: Ira, how come everyone can make trades except the Heat? – Mike.
A: I think what you really mean is, “How come everyone can make trades except the ones that Mike wants?” This came in right after the Pelicans and Wizards emptied dumpsters in the deal that gave Washington future cap space and the Pelicans current tax relief. So let’s not overstate any Jordan Poole trade. And the Heat have made their share of trades, including the Jimmy Butler trade that was forced upon them. Yes, there is the residual of not landing Kevin Durant over the weekend, and possibly not offering enough for Kevin Durant. But the machinations for the Heat assuredly are ongoing. I would expect, at minimum, at least one upcoming trade for the Heat. There is too much salary flexibility at the moment for the Heat not to be active.
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Q: Ira, Davion Mitchell said how much he liked it here, so does he sign before free agency? – Nate.
A: That’s not exactly how it works. Now that the Heat extended the required $8.7 million qualifying offer to make Davion Mitchell a restricted free agent, he can either directly negotiate with the Heat on milti-year contract or test the market and then bring back an offer for the Heat to match. The expectation here is the Heat offer what they believe to be fair parameters and then draw a line, with Mitchell also free to seek outside offers. In today’s cap-tax-apron marketplace, I’m not sure you go above and beyond for a player who could well wind up a reserve. Consider that a lesson learned from the Tyler Johnson era of Heat restricted free agency.
Q: Now let’s hope Keshad Johnson’s minutes increase with his contract guaranteed. He’s earned it. – Lawrence.
A: With a primary power rotation of Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic, it’s not as if there will be many minutes there for Keshad Johnson, let alone if the Heat go big in the draft. Now, if Jovic is cast more as a wing, that could open time. More likely, the minutes for Keshad Johnson will come when one of Adebayo, Ware or Jovic are not available.
