Q: Ira, the Dolphins already are showing that depth matters. So if the Heat even think they don\u2019t have enough centers, they should go ahead and sign one. Better, now than before Bam Adebayo or Kel\u2019el Ware get hurt. \u2013 Steven.<\/p>\n
A: First, the reality is that if Bam Adebayo were to be lost for any significant period, the season would likely move further toward development, and closer to a potential lottery outcome. There is not a center on the market who could step into such a role. An absence by Kel\u2019el Ware could have somewhat of a similar impact, though to a lesser degree. The case for insurance in the middle is in support of an all-out push for the playoffs. But this also is not the NFL or the Dolphins, where injuries are a weekly occurrence and results in injuries lasting for weeks, not days. The reality is the quality of \u201cemergency\u201d big men currently available likely will remain similar and fluid throughout the season. So any notion of having to rush into a decision largely is overstated, whether the current goal is Precious Achiuwa<\/a>, Thomas Bryant, Kai Jones or another available big man. None are likely to change the overall calculus of whether the Heat stand or are headed.<\/p>\n Q: Precious Achiuwa is a useful player. He didn\u2019t get much time on the Knicks but he rebounds and defends. \u2013 Grady.<\/p>\n A: But how useful would someone be when cast in a role behind Bam Adebayo, Kel\u2019el Ware and Nikola Jovic? The thought here remains that almost all of Nikola\u2019s minutes will have to come in the power rotation, because of the Heat\u2019s surfeit of players in the perimeter rotation. So a case could be made, at least in the moment, that Vlad Goldin and his 50 games of eligibility could cover such an emergency-only need. So, as stated above, it comes down to whether the belief in any big man added comes with a belief that such a player also would command playing time.<\/p>\n