Q: OK, Ira, so when all are healthy, the Heat starting lineup will be Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell and Kel’el Ware. Then, assuming Erik Spoelstra goes with a nine-man rotation, who comes off the bench and who gets left out? – Barry, Deerfield Beach.
A: I find it fascinating the issue so many are having amid winning regarding an abundance of depth. That said, first I’m not sure I agree with your take on the starting lineup. With Nikola Jovic so struggling before his latest hip issue, it might make more sense to play Kel’el Ware off the bench when everyone gets healthier, to provide a center in each unit. But for argument’s sake, let’s go with a top six, in some fashion, of Adebayo, Ware, Wiggins, Powell, Herro and Davion Mitchell. It would seem that Erik Spoelstra assuredly also will be playing Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith. So that could make Simone Fontecchio an odd man out, if it’s only nine deep. Therefore, expect 10 deep. But that does not bode well for Jovic, unless one of the big men is hurt or in foul trouble.
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Q: Ira, between what Norman Powell did last season with the Clippers and this season with the Heat, shouldn’t we try to extend him as quickly as possible? He might not be a leading man on a championship contender, but he looks like he could be a vital piece for one. Also, wouldn’t his price tag continue to go up the longer he plays this well? – Ruben, Davie.
A: Because unlike with Tyler Herro, who had an extension window that closed Oct. 20, the Heat face no such deadline with Norman Powell. If he continues to play like this, he will get paid. But it also might make more sense to wait through the Feb. 5 NBA trading deadline, if only to get a truer read on the composition of this roster going forward, and therefore a better read on the overall payroll going forward.
Q: Saw the story on Terry Rozier, and it got me thinking: How many teams could lose a roster spot and that salary and keep winning like this? – Edwin.
A: An overstated element of the Terry Rozier story is how being placed on leave has altered the Heat’s cap and rotation calculus. The reality is that even if there was no gambling arrest and Terry was available, his salary still would have been on the books, and he still would not have been playing. That is why the effort was made to point out that the true setback in that regard from a Heat standpoint is the inability to potentially utilize Terry’s salary in a trade, which might have been the truest value of Terry’s expiring deal.
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