ASK IRA: Are Heat chasing more than just Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Q: Ira, did I miss the memo that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player on the trade market? You can’t waste all your time hoping the Bucks pick you. – Mel.

A: No, but talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s pedigree comes to market (if that truly is the case) so rarely, that such a possibility has to be prioritized. Yes, there are a multitude of directions that Heat could go beyond a Giannis deal, but you want to give up a possible trade component and then learn that could have been a swing piece for Giannis? For example, say the Heat were to instead pursue Lauri Markkanen perhaps with Kel’el Ware and Tyler Herro as the hook and then learn those two components could have closed a Giannis deal? A good front office has several balls in the air at the same time, which is what I assume would be the case currently with the Heat. But haste also can be a costly approach. So we wait. Perhaps for Giannis. perhaps for something otherwise.

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• Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: There was a time when you could get to a certain point in the East just by trying. That time is over. Play the kids and hope somebody breaks out. The quick turnaround ship is sailing away. – John, Ocala.

A: Or do the Heat thing and relentlessly pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo or else someone of the Jimmy Butler ilk. At this point, the Heat will do what they always do, which is cast the widest possible net for a trade. But sometimes you also simply don’t have the assets to push such a bid across the finish line.

Q: Ask Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley what is the meaning of another season playing to end up with a 13th pick and with potentially more of the same. Not good enough, not bad enough. What is the plan? – Jerry, Miami.