Ira Winderman: Heat offseason turns into lesson in leverage

As in Myles Turner the center the Bucks broke the bank to sign last summer, as in the center whose four-year, $108 million contract forced the Bucks to waive and stretch, at considerable cost, the contract of Damian Lillard (due $22.5 million each of the next four seasons despite being waived).

As in, how exactly is that going to work next season if Turner and Antetokounmpo are back in the same locker room?

So, Bucks’ leverage lost?

For that matter, as he playfully posts on social media as if all is well in his world, the question becomes even with the coaching change from Doc Rivers to Taylor Jenkins, is that where Antetokounmpo would want to commit to the extension that ownership has said would be requirement for the relationship to endure?

So, Antetokounmpo’s leverage about to ensue, at least when it comes to guiding the discussion to destination of choice?

And then there is the part of the leverage exercise that so many times before has proven detrimental to the Heat — the waiting game.

With Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley went to Los Angeles for what the Lakers thought would be a job interview and instead planted the seeds for the Shaquille O’Neal trade.

With Jimmy Butler, the seeds were planted by the end of Butler’s lone season with the Philadelphia 76ers. At the start of free agency that deal, even with all its complexities, was done.

But when it came to waiting games with Lillard and Durant, entire Heat offseasons were subverted. For that matter, such also was the case with the weeks-long wait in 2014 free agency with LeBron, leaving the Heat to wonder what to then do with Danny Granger, Josh McRoberts and even Shabazz Napier.

So the Heat offer should be best offer, on the table, take it, leave it, but decision sooner rather than later. Leverage.

Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware? A logical starting point. This June’s No. 13 pick? Sure, Milwaukee, and who would you like taken at that spot (the Heat have to exercise it by NBA rule)? A couple of prospects, say two from the pool of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Pelle Larsson, Nikola Jovic? And then one more unprotected future first-round pick or perhaps multiples if lottery protections in place?

As in the leverage now … or never.

Each party has a degree of leverage.

For the Bucks, Turner’s comments come off as a dumpster fire that needs to be extinguished as soon as possible, with a seeming advantage for Giannis suitors. A reset feels inevitable in Milwaukee amid new coach and incoming part-owner.

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For Antetokounmpo, the opportunity to step forward, list destinations (plural, since Adam Silver made it clear with Lillard that a sole destination would lead to sanction), put the process on his timetable.

For the Heat, the moment at hand of best offer on the table, with chess clock alongside, ticking away.

Leverage, per Merriam-Webster: “Influence or power used to achieve a desired result.”

The time is at hand for all involved.

IN THE LANE

TRUST IN PLACE: For as critical as he has been recently of the Heat in his podcast and broadcast roles, former Heat guard Dwyane Wade said he also appreciates that patience also is required. He made that clear on a recent episode of his podcast when speaking about Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg, Micky Arison, Nick Arison and the Heat’s power brokers. “Pat, Andy, Micky and Nick, if they see an opportunity, they’re going to strike, that’s what they do,” he said. “They’re not going to strike because you as a fan is impatient.” He added, “They’ve been in the Finals seven times since I was drafted (in 2003). They’re fine, bro. We want them to strike. We want Bam [Adebayo] and these guys to get the help we feel like they need to be able to compete in the East.” So, patience, he stressed, “They’re not striking for no reason,” he said. “All you fans are impatient.”

WAITING GAME: Speaking of Wade and speaking of patience, Wade, in his broadcast role with Prime, said outsiders need to sit back and afford LeBron James the space to decide his next step, with James, 41, an impending free agent. To Wade, it is similar to when James made “The Decision” in 2010 to join the Heat. “I don’t think no one knows,” Wade said. “I think one of the things that him and his entire team have been great at is they hold their cards close to their chest. Decisions are made by LeBron, and they all respect it, and they wait on him to decide what he wants to do. So I don’t think none of us can go there until he makes the decision for sure.”

SPEAKING OF: And if it is time to give James his exit flowers, former Heat assistant coach David Fizdale already stepped up during an appearance on The Herd. “Kevin Durant is the most relentless worker I’ve seen on the court, but LeBron’s body of work in a day, unmatched,” Fizdale said, reflecting on their time together with the Heat. “I’d get to the office at 6 a.m. A guy rides in on a 10-speed with black tights and helmet with glasses. I’m like, ‘Who is this guy in our garage?’ He takes off the helmet, it’s ‘Bron. He rolled into work on a bike and got his conditioning in. He rode miles into work, full sweat, at 6 a.m. I’d meet him on the court and do a full other hour. Then we practice. Then he lifts. Then does all this stuff to prepare his body. By the time he leaves, his kids are getting out of school.”

GROWING RESPECT: The respect continues to grow for former Heat forward Max Strus amid this Cleveland Cavaliers’ ride through the playoffs. “He’s a maniac competitor,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It’s kind of like a playoff cliche. In the NBA, you need guys that are a little crazy in a good way in the playoffs.” Strus said such is his only way. “Those plays are important,” he said, according to Cleveland.com. “I think they’re very important. I think they’re winning plays — try to give some energy, give some life. It’s just finding ways to impact the game.”

MOVING ON: The 2025-26 whirlwind continues for former Heat center Omer Yurtseven, who has moved on to Real Madrid for the balance of their season. Yurtseven began this season with Panathinaikos in Greece, moved on to the G League Rio Grande Vipers, signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Golden State Warriors, where he played nine games, and now is playing in Spain. Yurtseven was signed in Madrid to fill in for injured Edy Tavares and Alex Len. Amid all the whirlwind is that the Turkish 7-footer is only 27, just three years from being on the Heat’s NBA Finals roster in 2023.

NUMBER

50-1. Odds at Hard Rock Bet of LeBron James‘ team next season being a reunion with the Heat. The sportsbook has a reunion with the Cavaliers with the top odds (+175) for James, who is an impending free agent. Next highest are a tie (+275) for potential retirement or a return to the Lakers. The Heat are tied for seventh in the odds at 50-1, behind potential landing spots of the Cavaliers, Lakers, Warriors, Spurs, Knicks and Trail Blazers.