Q: Are there any free-agent veterans that you would target for the Heat at the minimum? – Sly, Philadelphia.
A: When you ask in terms of “target,” it stands as a matter of semantics, since what I might spend might not be what the Heat either can or would be willing, in light of the tax, aprons and hard-cap factors. Now, if I could get Tyus Jones at the minimum, that might be where I would start. But I likely would not even consider free agents until trade possibilities are exhausted, because of such impact, again, on the cap, tax and aprons. For example, if Duncan Robinson were dealt to balance a trade, then the free-agency priority might turn to a shooter. So it’s not merely a matter solely of free-agent targets or desires.
Q: The Miami Heat finished eight games under .500, have been in the play-in tournament for three straight seasons and suffered the worst playoff-series loss in NBA history. Shouldn’t Chris Quinn contribute to turning the Heat into a championship contender before looking at becoming a head coach somewhere else? Why would another team want an assistant coach from a losing team? – John, Hialeah.
A: Or to rephrase, why would a team want an assistant coach who has been part of a staff that has been to the NBA Finals in two of the past six seasons and to the Eastern Conference finals three of the past six? It’s all a matter of how you choose to quantify. I still largely look at this past season as an outlier because of the Jimmy Butler fiasco. So let’s not lose sight that just a season ago, the Heat finished 10 games above .500, a record that would have put them directly into the playoffs this past season.
Q: I miss James Johnson. That is all. – Wes.
A: There is something to be said about such towel-waving enthusiasm by the former Heat forward who now is mentoring from the bench with the Pacers.. There always is a place for infectious energy, which is where Kevin Love was missed for the Heat in the postseason, albeit while attending to a matter of far greater importance.
Originally Published: June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM EDT
