ASK IRA: Time to restart LeBron-Heat speculation?

Q: Ira, I’m sure I’m not the only one to ask, but please tell me that the Heat aren’t going after 41-year-old LeBron James. Let’s keep the memories and move on. – Bob.

A: First, never say never. But I agree that of potential LeBron James landing spots in his free agency, a Miami return likely would not top the list for either party. First, players who want one last shot at a championship typically don’t move on to teams coming off consecutive 10th-place finishes. Plus, for the Heat it almost would be LeBron interruptus, to a degree stalling a needed retool if not rebuild. Playing it out with the Lakers, perhaps at less money, would make sense. A Cavaliers return certainly would touch a sentimental chord. And going out on Broadway (or close to it) with the Knicks, has its appeal. Now, if the Heat were to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and if LeBron were willing to come for some type of exception money, that would be a different story.

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Q: For all the people seemingly wishing the Heat would go the Wizards route by tanking to reset and get high draft picks, consider this: The Wizards got the first pick in the draft in 2010. Since 2010, the Wizards have been to the playoffs five times. Since 2010, the Heat, who have never gotten a No. 1 pick, have 12 playoff appearances, been to six Finals, winning two of them. – Harold, Wellington.

A: My belief remains that those who insist the Heat take major steps back also are those who would tune out during that period. Having been to Washington, in recent years it has been a delightful place to play for road teams, with plenty of crowd support. The home team? Not so much. And while tanking likely will never be the same with the new lottery rules, high picks come with no guarantee. Since drafting at No. 1 in 2010, the Wizards have come up with such uneven choices as at No. 6 in 2011, at No. 3 in 2013 and Johnny Davis at No. 10 in 2022.