ASK IRA: If not as starter, is there a Heat role for Kevin Love?
Q: Ira, glad Erik Spoelstra saw that Kevin Love is not the answer. He gave it a chance. But management also messed up without a true power forward. Our two power forwards are both 6-5. Powerless forwards? – Andy.
A: Based on the amount of small ball we’ve already seen around the NBA this season, I’m not sure that Haywood Highsmith or Caleb Martin couldn’t handle the assignment most nights. And as long as you don’t have Anthony Davis entering as an opposing power forward (he currently is playing at center), you can make a case of Highsmith/Martin as a matter of getting your best players on the court. But, yes, re-signing Kevin Love appears to be more a case of goodwill than any definitive notion of season-long role. It was a move out of the Cavaliers’ rotation that led to Love’s buyout request last season. Now we wait to see what might or might not percolate this time around. But give Highsmith credit, he is making the most of his opportunity.
Q: It’s been nice seeing Erik Spoelstra giving Jaime Jaquez Jr. meaningful minutes early on. JJJ looks like he’s gonna be a good one. – Ynal.
A: Some of it has been not having a choice, with so many injury absences. But Jaime Jaquez Jr. certainly has the look of a quality draft choice. Still remaining to be seen is whether he has the quickness and outside touch to thrive on the wing in a greater role. His attacking approach early in Friday night’s game plays far better to his strengths than when he mostly was spotting up in the corner in Wednesday’s loss to the Nets.
Q: Ira, if point guard remains a problem, do you think any of the remaining free-agent point guards like Goran Dragic, George Hill, Austin Rivers (who wanted to play for the Heat but now seems to be in a TV gig), John Wall, Elfrid Payton, etc., help us? – Rich, Plantation.
A: Actually, the best name in the pool of those available might be Malcolm Brogdon, who certainly doesn’t fit Portland’s timeline. But that would mean dealing with the Blazers, and we’ve already seen how that went for the Heat with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. Joe Cronin’s sole purpose on this planet seems to be ghosting Pat Riley. So I’m not sure the Heat are in position to consider Brogdon a viable option. Brogdon is due $22.5 million this season, but also $22.5 million next season, which clearly would be a sticking point, considering Kyle Lowry is on an expiring contract. Otherwise, at the moment, I’m not sure the Heat would or should be so quick to move off of Duncan Robinson and his 3-point shooting.