ASK IRA: Would Heat value scoring over size with a move up in the lottery?

Q: Ira, I thought it was interesting when I spun the lottery machine and it came up with the Heat at No. 2 (total transparency, it took 21 tries), they had the Heat taking Darryn Peterson over Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Isn’t another big man what we need? – Lance.

A: What a team that finished in 10th place in consecutive seasons and has been in the play-in the last four years needs is talent. And with silky scoring ability, Darryn Peterson arguably stands as too talented to overlook. Yes, there is not much in the Heat power rotation at the moment beyond Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, and, yes, the Heat have Tyler Herro and other wing options. But the Heat previously went for size over best available (in 2020, with Precious Achiuwa over Tyrese Maxey) and highly doubt they would go in that direction again. All of that said, the Heat would be ecstatic in such a loaded, top-heavy lottery to wind up with any of the first four picks. There might be hard decisions there, but seemingly also ample easy answers.

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Q: Some of the teams that lost in the first round seem interested in moving some of their players. Do you see any trade opportunities for the Heat with these teams? – Jake, Hollywood.

A: Always. But the issue also is the waiting game with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. Look, has there ever been a time when the Heat didn’t chase Kevin Durant when it was believed he could be on the move? Plus, the draft lottery could leave any of the lottery teams with potential redundancies on their roster. We should know more about trade options in coming days, especially as the second round of the playoffs winds down. Remember, as soon as a team is eliminated from the playoffs it can make trades with any other team that is eliminated (with impending free agents off-limits).