Q: Ira, I thought one of the best things the Heat had going for them last season was Haywood Highsmith playing with Davion Mitchell, a pair of defensive dogs. Have the Heat given up on defensive lineups? – Chas.
A: Well, they certainly now have one fewer plus-defender. But they also still have Davion Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, the shot-blocking of Kel’el Ware and, now. again Dru Smith. But if you are asking if the Heat have as much defensive potential today as before the tax offloading of Haywood Highsmith to the Nets, the answer would be no. The closing lineups likely will feature at least one minus defender and possibly more. There is no other way to cast the trade of Haywood other than a step back for the Heat’s defense. So, hello zone defense, my old friend?
Related Articles
Q: Why did the Heat trade away Haywood Highsmith and a second-round pick in 2032 for a second-round pick next year? – Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: They didn’t. There will be no second-round pick next year from Brooklyn unless the Nets finish with one of the NBA’s five best records. And that simply is not happening with a team intent on another tank. So that element of Friday’s trade essentially will be extinguished in 10 months. As for trading away Haywood Highsmith along with the sweetener of a 2032 second-round pick simply to save against the tax? Yes, it does seem extreme. It would seem that with ample patience a relocation could have been found for Haywood with a contender seeking defense, rather than yet again offloading a second-rounder in a cap move (as was done with Dewayne Dedmon, Victor Oladipo and several others over the years.
Q: So long as Dru Smith stays healthy, he actually is a true point guard. – R. B.
A: But the “healthy” aspect is one that will remain a question until we see how he looks in contact work and games as he returns from last season’s Achilles tear. To his credit, Dru Smith fully pushed through his knee injury to get back to arguably his best career form. Now, can he do it again? If he can, the price on this new deal certain is right. If not, it’s a small price to at least take a look.
