Q: If everyone is healthy, will Kel’el Ware start when the Heat get back to playing? – Steve.
A: Everyone healthy? At this point, that still seems like an abstract. But, OK, I’ll bite. I’d likely lean toward not, simply because when the Heat have been closer to whole in the weeks before the All-Star break, the choices to start ahead of Kel’el Ware have been Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. So if you’re talking about having Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins, I’m not sure that Kel’el would slip in as an alternative fifth factor, considering that five doesn’t also include Pelle Larsson. Then again, we still don’t know where things stand with Tyler.
Q: Ira, thoughts on Norman Powell missing two games and then going to All-Star Weekend? – Dell.
A: Considering all the games that Norman Powell was listed on the Heat injury report and then played through, he assuredly has earned any benefit of the doubt. He only lasted one round in Saturday’s 3-point contest and it’s not as if he is going to be overworked during the All-Star competition. As long as he is good to go on Friday in Atlanta, no issue here.
Q: Ira, while we’re on the topic of contracts, are we taken care of with Pelle Larsson? Suddenly, he’s one of our most valuable players. – Len.
A: This is one of the advantages of having second-round picks, is being able to seize long-term control with minimum risk at the outset. With Pelle Larsson it meant a three-year deal when signed after going in the 2024 second round out of Arizona that includes next season as a team option, then to become a restricted free agent in the 2027 offseason if not extended. So amid all the uncertainty with potential extensions of Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the Heat are at least converted with Pelle.