Q: Ira, everything that’s out there is that the Heat can get Ja Morant for practically nothing. How do they not jump? – Sid.
A: OK, if you insist on playing to the speculation, fine. Let’s go ahead and assume it will take nothing more than expiring contracts to land Ja Morant. Fine. So just for the sake of this exercise, let’s go along with the notion of Terry Rozier’s cap hold and Simone Fontecchio’s expiring. But that’s only part of the story, the money going out. The greater question is the impact an acquisition of Ja would have on the payroll going forward, beyond this season’s $39.4 million salary. Next season Ja is guaranteed $42.2 million and in 2027-28 due $44.9 million. So would that be the best allocation of cap space, or even further tax/apron space? Based on Ja’s play this season, he is producing at the level of a mid-level player, if even that. And then there is another issue: In March 2023, Ja was suspended by the NBA for eight games for flashing a handgun on Instagram live. In June 2023, he was suspended 25 games for a similar incident. So what would the extent be of a third strike? Unlike with Rozier and his current NBA leave, that should be an answer Adam Silver should be able to provide. So if Ja is facing something even more than those 25 games for a third strike, do that Heat really want to be playing with such fire again after the Rozier mess?
Q: Just reschedule Heat-Bulls as a best-of-3 for the play-in game. We know that’s where it’s going. – Chris.
A: Yes, we do. The irony is the Heat’s four games directly prior to the NBA trading deadline will be the three against the Bulls and one against the visiting Hawks. At the least, that would show if they Heat even are competitive at a play-in level. But, yes, the chances of the Heat and Bulls meeting in April the week after the end of the regular season appear high. For now, though, bask in Tuesday night and a quality win over a quality opponent.
Q: Ira, when will Heat fans stop being so spoiled? Asking to move on from Erik Spoelstra? In the past six years, we have had two NBA Finals and one other Eastern Conference finals. Not everyone wins a championship, just ask Charles Barkley, John Stockton and Karl Malone (and Dan Marino, for goodness sake). – Michael, Cullowhee, N.C.
A: Believe me, that is just a sample of what has come into the mailbag. I honestly do not believe another coach could coach this roster any better. Now, whether it should be “this roster,” that’s where the consternation can lead to candid debate. But Tuesday night was a good night, which should quiet things . . . at least until the Celtics arrive on Thursday night.