ASK IRA: Could the Heat possibly sell Jimmy Butler on Ben Simmons?

Q: What would the Heat have to give up to get Ben Simmons, now that people are calling for the 76ers to unload him? He had a rough playoff series, but he is a talented, if flawed, player. A change of scenery and some Heat culture might just be the prescription for him. — Bernardo, Fort Lauderdale.

A: It doesn’t matter what the necessary package might be, because it’s not happening, no matter how the 76ers approach their offseason with Ben Simmons. First there is the issue of Ben’s relationship with Jimmy Butler, dating to the time for the two as teammates in Philadelphia. That, alone, could make it a non-starter as a Heat talking point. Beyond that, as is, the Heat lack sufficient floor spacing with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy as their leading men. That is an aspect that Ben assuredly would not upgrade. Yes, the Heat have had significant success in dealing for distressed property previously. But in this case, it is far more likely that such distress will play out elsewhere.

Q: Hi, Ira. So Bam Adebayo goes to the Olympics and you have to think he makes it. How good of a recruiter will he be considering you have Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard there (not to mention Luka Doncic, albeit on another team)? I know he probably isn’t the voice Jimmy Butler would have been (and you can’t blame him for opting out of the Olympics), but does he hold sway with guys like that. — Mike, Austin.

A: First, the best way to entice others to want to play alongside is with your play. So if Bam Adebayo catches the attention of other elite players during USA Basketball’s camp or at the Tokyo Olympics, then it can only help the overall recruiting possibilities. But also remember that Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal aren’t free agents. Their teams will have a say. And beyond that, with the shooting-matters-above-all emphasis in international basketball, it remains to be seen what, if any, type of role Bam receives.

Q: Speaking of the draft lottery that you discussed in yesterday’s Sun-Sentinel, I wonder what Pat Riley thinks watching Devin Booker play? Amazing how many teams passed on him, including the Heat, unfortunately. Justise Winslow anyone? — Dave.

A: And the Heat liked Devin Booker a lot. And then Justise Winslow kept falling in that 2015 first round. And then Danny Ainge started throwing around so many draft picks in order to land Justise that Winslow became practically mesmerizing. Still, and again, it’s not as if the Heat alone erred, with Devin falling all the way to No. 13, going after the likes of Jahlil Okafor, Mario Hezonja, Willie Cauley-Stein, Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, Trey Lyles, and, yes, Justise.