ASK IRA: Was Heat giving Victor Oladipo a two-year contract a big mistake?

Q: The team needs to decide if Victor Oladipo is going to be of any use this season – or just cut ties, as they should’ve before the season and find someone they can use. – Paolo.

A: Only it’s not that simple and certainly not at this moment. The time for deliberating on Victor Oladipo’s comeback was in July, when the Heat initially extended an $11 million one-year offer, which made sense considering the unknowns with his health. But then the Heat shifted to a two-year, $18.2 million package in order to work their way around the luxury tax. The upshot is the Heat can’t walk away now, with Victor not only earning $8.8 million this season, but also holding a $9.5 million option for next season. It is that extra year that could create consternation. Plus, Victor only can be traded if that option either first is picked up by Victor or if he approves a trade. And even then, he cannot be dealt until Jan. 15 at the earliest, because of the size of the raise he received from season’s NBA minimum salary. For now, the best the Heat can hope for is coming around to the point where he can make a contribution in the playoffs, as he did last season. When it comes to the Heat roster, Victor Oladipo, seemingly as always, remains the great unknown.

Q: Ira, has Nikola Jovic played his way into the lineup, that the three-man bench just added a fourth? – Bill, Palm Beach Gardens.

A: First, I wouldn’t overstate a single night, or, in Nikola Jovic’s case, a single half in Toronto. Plus, when Tyler Herro returns, there already will be a decision to make regarding Duncan Robinson, let alone Nikola. But with Dewayne Dedmon struggling with his mobility with his foot issue, it would be interesting to see if Erik Spoelstra becomes open to spot minutes on a regular basis for Nikola. He certainly is intriguing. But he also has to rebound.

Q: Hi, Ira. Are the Heat in more need of a starting four or a better backup five? With Omer Yurtseven gone most of the season and Dewayne Dedmon’s slowness, I feel the Heat need someone that can both play alongside Bam Adebayo in the starting unit and also anchor the defense when he’s off the court. – Eduardo.

A: Well, Caleb Martin can play alongside Bam Adebayo, but he is by no means a center. And Nikola Jovic can create on offense, but he is by no means a defender. And that’s the rub with the Heat’s current power rotation – there are no easy answers beyond Bam.