Q: Ira, am sad to see Jahmir Young go. He’s a scorer and they need scoring. So why not a two-way, since he’s better than Vlad Goldin? – Mitch.
A: First, sometimes it’s about a player seeking alternate options, which Jahmir Young could find with his G League rights now transferred to the Lakers’ affiliate. Beyond that, the development process is about knowing when to commit and when to move on. In addition, the Heat have plenty of scoring; it’s just a matter of making that scoring work. And this is not just about being better than someone already on the roster, but a matter of determining whether the fit works. This very much is a live-in-the-moment season for the Heat. And if there is a better two-way option than Vlad Goldin, then the Heat assuredly will move in that direction.
Q: What is the upside for the Miami Heat with Dennis Smith Jr.? – Stuart.
A: The upside at the moment is being able to have a veteran presence with the G League roster. Considering Dennis Smith Jr. is not expected to be with the Heat for the start of training camp, do not overstate him in any way competing in camp with Dru Smith or Tre Donaldson for rotation minutes or even a roster spot. This appears more a matter of having a break-open-in-case-of-emergency option in the Heat realm.
Q: What about Ezra Ausar? – Bobby.
A: Really, this is what is being asked on the eve of training camp? Ezra Ausar, the undrafted big man out of Southern Cal, will remain in the process of being shifted to the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Think of it as Ezra being this preseason’s Dain Dainja.