ASK IRA: Time for NBA to cook the books in Heat favor after Hornets/Rozier fiasco?

TL;DR

The Miami Heat are dissatisfied with receiving only a second-round pick following the Terry Rozier incident and are considering further action against the NBA. Fans hope for a lawsuit to restore a first-round pick and recover funds paid to Rozier, which could significantly impact the team's future.

Q: Ira, please tell me the Heat are not satisfied with a second-round pick for the Terry Rozier drama and that there is still some recourse. The NBA failed to provide the Heat with any information on the gambling investigation, and apparently their own internal NBA investigation was suspect, at best, and turned the other cheek, at worst, ignoring the facts. I’m hoping the Heat bring a formal lawsuit against the NBA which would be bolstered should Rozier be found guilty at trial or he pleads out. There is no excuse for what has transpired and the Heat deserve to have their first-round pick restored and the money paid to Rozier back, as well. This could be, for the Heat at least, two high first-round picks and could change the trajectory of the franchise without gutting the team for a whale, and set them up for years with a payroll that could add talent as needed. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.

A: Except NBA teams don’t sue the league (unless it is a certain owner in a very large market that has aired such grievances publicly, but that’s another story). In accepting the compromise of a second-round pick this June from the Hornets in the Terry Rozier matter, the Heat effectively signed off on the matter being closed. Now, if you are of the conspiracy ilk, perhaps Adam Silver can turn in some lottery chicanery (if the Heat are in the lottery) and get the Heat the type of lottery remuneration that the Mavericks wound up with in Cooper Flagg after trading Luka Doncic. At worst, how about sending Ray Acosta, Derrick Collins and Eric Dalen as the officiating crew for the Heat-Hornets play-in game? The Heat this season went a combined 14-3 with those three officiating their games this season.

Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Ira, why win on Sunday when it would only hurt the lottery odds, since the Hornets are winning in New York with the Knicks with nothing to play for? – Sammie.

A: Which is why the NBA scheduled all of those East games for 6 p.m., so teams can’t play the scoreboard as freely. But, yes, the Hornets certainly have a better draw on Sunday than the Heat, with Atlanta with plenty to play for in their visit to Kaseya Center. The reality well could be that the Heat try to win, and like so many recent games, aren’t good enough. But remember, even with a loss and a 42-40 final record, making the playoffs would mean no lottery. So Sunday isn’t as important to those with lottery visions as what follows the rest of the week.

Q: Will Erik Spoelstra pull another rabbit out of the hat? – Hal.

A: Well, has there ever been a better play-in puppeteer?

Q&A

What are the implications of the Terry Rozier incident for the Miami Heat?

The implications include potential recovery of a first-round pick and funds paid to Rozier, which could significantly alter the team's future and financial flexibility.

Why did the Miami Heat accept a second-round pick from the Hornets?

The Heat accepted the second-round pick as a compromise, effectively closing the matter despite their dissatisfaction with the NBA's handling of the investigation.

Could the Miami Heat file a lawsuit against the NBA over the Rozier situation?

While it's uncommon for NBA teams to sue the league, there are discussions among fans about the possibility, especially if Rozier is found guilty in his legal issues.