ASK IRA: Do Heat risk damaging relationship with Lowry, Robinson if they’re not dealt for Lillard?
Q: How come no one mentions the Heat dangling Kyle Lowry or Duncan Robinson? Like Tyler Herro, they’ve seen their names plastered all over the place because Damian Lillard wants out. Fair is fair. – Stephen.
A: Because, in Kyle Lowry’s case, when a 35-year-old signs a three-year, $85 million contract, it has to come amid the awareness that the final season might come to be viewed as a tradeable salary. Kyle has been around; he knows how the league works, even if the golfing isn’t the same in Portland in January (did anyone say eventual buyout?). Similarly with Duncan Robinson, as soon as he put pen to paper in 2021 on his five-year, $90 million contract, it was possible that his salary eventually could be put into play for a trade. Such is the tradeoff for untold riches. The reality is that in the NBA, the superstars, of which Damian Lillard is one, drive the bus. The others largely are just along for the ride.
Q: Ira, are you OK with Nikola Jovic playing for Serbia? He always seems to be getting hurt. – Cone.
A: This is similar to when players in the offseason participate in Pro-Ams, whether it is down here in Miami or the Drew League in Los Angeles or elsewhere. The reality is that players play in the offseason, and need to play. So if you can get a player in a situation where there is approved and ample training and medical staffing, such as with the Serbian national team, it puts you ahead of the game. As Erik Spoelstra said during summer league, Nikola Jovic, at 20, needs to play. In some ways, participating in the World Cup could help compensate for the time he missed last season with his back issues.
Q: Do you think Paul Pierce has PTSD from that Game 6 in Boston? – Ben, Weston.
A: Actually, it could be from sitting courtside at Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals at TD Garden this year. It’s hard to fathom a Hall of Famer so insecure about his legacy.