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Q: Ira, the Raptors gave up a lot less for Kawhi Leonard than the Heat did for Giannis Antetokounmpo. That was the play. Then we would have more to build around. – Sal.
A: Yes, the Raptors did, with Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick perhaps the equivalent of the Heat only sending out Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr., and with the Raptors sending out one fewer first-round pick, which, in an equivalency, could have meant the Heat holding on to No. 13 in last week’s draft. So it comes down to valuing the player and the person. Kawhi Leonard could just turn and walk at any point. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, the commitment to sustained team success seems far more driven. And in NBA years, Giannis’ 31 is quite a bit different than Kawhi’s 35. That said, there would have been less redundancy with Kawhi and Bam Adebayo than with Giannis and Bam. Still, the Heat had a deadline and did the deal. Clearly there was nowhere near the same level of competition for Kawhi, no Boston coming in at the last minute to drive up the cost.
Q: Ira, why Simone Fontecchio and not a younger shooter the Heat can develop? – Wes.
A: In a way you answered your own question. A young shooter, someone landed on the cheap in free agency, likely is going to want to play enough to show he is worth more. The benefit of Simone Fontecchio, as shown last season, is that he can go a week or two without playing, not complain, and then hit 3-pointers when needed, or even play as a spot starter. Plus, with his bigger, physical build, it provides another option in the power rotation. Many free-agency projections had Simone valued at two or three times the $2.6 million veteran-minimum deal he took to return,
Q: I just read Ben Simmons is reportedly coming out of retirement and wants to join the Heat. What are your thoughts on potential fit? – Tim, Lake Worth.
A: Not the time nor the fit. There have been ample times in recent years when the Heat could experiment, see if they could succeed with what failed elsewhere, with players such as James Johnson and Dion Waiters. But this is not that time, not with Giannis Antetokounmpo arriving and not with Bam Adebayo beginning his maximum extension. This is go-time, with ready-to-go players. Now, if Ben Simmons wants to sign up for a Heat fishing outing, that’s another story.
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A: Yes, the Raptors did, with Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick perhaps the equivalent of the Heat only sending out Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr., and with the Raptors sending out one fewer first-round pick, which, in an equivalency, could have meant the Heat holding on to No. 13 in last week’s draft. So it comes down to valuing the player and the person. Kawhi Leonard could just turn and walk at any point. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, the commitment to sustained team success seems far more driven. And in NBA years, Giannis’ 31 is quite a bit different than Kawhi’s 35. That said, there would have been less redundancy with Kawhi and Bam Adebayo than with Giannis and Bam. Still, the Heat had a deadline and did the deal. Clearly there was nowhere near the same level of competition for Kawhi, no Boston coming in at the last minute to drive up the cost.
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Q: Ira, why Simone Fontecchio and not a younger shooter the Heat can develop? – Wes.
A: In a way you answered your own question. A young shooter, someone landed on the cheap in free agency, likely is going to want to play enough to show he is worth more. The benefit of Simone Fontecchio, as shown last season, is that he can go a week or two without playing, not complain, and then hit 3-pointers when needed, or even play as a spot starter. Plus, with his bigger, physical build, it provides another option in the power rotation. Many free-agency projections had Simone valued at two or three times the $2.6 million veteran-minimum deal he took to return,
Q: I just read Ben Simmons is reportedly coming out of retirement and wants to join the Heat. What are your thoughts on potential fit? – Tim, Lake Worth.
A: Not the time nor the fit. There have been ample times in recent years when the Heat could experiment, see if they could succeed with what failed elsewhere, with players such as James Johnson and Dion Waiters. But this is not that time, not with Giannis Antetokounmpo arriving and not with Bam Adebayo beginning his maximum extension. This is go-time, with ready-to-go players. Now, if Ben Simmons wants to sign up for a Heat fishing outing, that’s another story.
Continue reading...
