ASK IRA: Could Myles Turner be a cure for Heat ills?
Q: Ira, I know you don’t usually entertain trade scenarios, but I figured I’d try. The center position is finding a renaissance, and Myles Turner’s contract would actually be less than the combined what Tyler Herro and what Duncan Robinson will get for next year. So if Indiana is willing, should a sign-and-trade option be a consideration? We can then focus on a point guard on the free-agent market (like Kyle Lowry), which should shore up our two major weaknesses from this year. Then we can add 3-point depth to round out the roster — Marc, Houston.
A: Works for me, and I believe that Myles Turner would be an intriguing complement to Bam Adebayo, considering his shot blocking and 3-point spacing (albeit not necessarily the rebounder the Heat were lacking alongside Bam Adebayo). Plus, there appear to be questions in Indiana about whether the Pacers can thrive with Myles playing alongside Domantas Sabonis. But when it comes to a sign-and-trade with Duncan Robinson, that’s where it gets tricky, and beyond locking the Heat into a hard cap. Duncan would have to sign off and accept the destination, when he otherwise could sign with the team of his choice. But, yes, I would sign up for an Adebayo-Turner frontcourt at the cost you mention.
Q: Here is the thing Ira, you cannot disregard the playoffs for any player when grading their season. It would be one thing if a player were playing injured. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro were not. They all underperformed in the playoffs. The only close game was Game 1 against the Bucks that could have gone either way. Playoff performance matters and it is why Pat Riley and company will retool this roster as best they can, knowing that they have to live with Butler’s and Adebayo’s mediocre playoff performances. — Michael, North Miami Beach.
A: Fair point when it comes to grading their season, although it was such a small sample size. To a greater point, those you mentioned also excelled in the playoffs a season earlier, so at least we know, when at their best, they can be up to the moment. As for Jimmy Butler, yes, he clearly was humbled by this postseason, but he also was a breakout playoff star last season and was as good as anyone on the 76ers in the postseason during Philadelphia’s 2019 playoff run.
Q: Udonis Haslem is smart to put ownership out there since Micky Arison mentioned that Dwyane Wade should have come to him. That said, one-percent ownership might cost him $20 million, if the Arisons even would want to break off a small piece. And nationally, he isn’t Wade. But still well played on his part. He’s smart. — David.
A: And then he could put together a Derek Jeter type of team for himself, where he puts in $25 million and then takes a five-year, $5 million-per deal as consultant . . . or else he joins Dwyane Wade in Utah.
