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Q: I recall Bam Adebayo wanting to play power forward instead of center. The fans also wanted a “true” center next to Bam. Instead, it seems like we’re going to trade away our only true center for another power forward. I get the team would be theoretically better, but with the size in Cleveland and New York, and not to mention the West Coast with Denver and San Antonio, is that wise? I can already see Erik Spoelstra playing three point guards with those two guys and the collective fan base groaning. – Eddie, South Bend.
A: I doubt Erik Spoelstra has concerns about groans. And Bam Adebayo-Giannis Antetokounmpo arguably would be the Heat’s best pairing of big men since Shaquille O’Neal-Alonzo Mourning. Talent, not positions, prevails. At the moment, Giannis is undeniably better than Kel’el Ware. Now, at the end of a Giannis extension, that well could be a different story. Of course, at the moment this all remains speculative.
Q: You wrote Thursday that the Heat is in Greece to scout and not to talk to Giannis Antetokounmpo. But don’t they have to receive assurances that Giannis will re-sign before they trade half their roster and all of their drafts? – Santos.
A: Such assuredly will be handled in backchannels, particularly with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo sharing common representation. The reality is that as close as the Heat were in their negotiations with the Bucks at February’s trade deadline, there assuredly were assurances at the time of a Heat-Giannis tacit agreement on extension terms.
Q: I wonder if Kasparas Jakucionis will miss Bucks summer-league games? – Bruno.
A: I see what you did there. And, yes, Kasparas Jakucionis, who will play with Lithuania at the start of the summer, could be a potential Heat trade component in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. Of all the Heat youth that might have to be included (Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Jakucionis), Kasparas might be among the most important to retain based on positional needs (with Giannis therefore taking Kel’el’s role). There is significant potential upside with Kasparas.
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A: I doubt Erik Spoelstra has concerns about groans. And Bam Adebayo-Giannis Antetokounmpo arguably would be the Heat’s best pairing of big men since Shaquille O’Neal-Alonzo Mourning. Talent, not positions, prevails. At the moment, Giannis is undeniably better than Kel’el Ware. Now, at the end of a Giannis extension, that well could be a different story. Of course, at the moment this all remains speculative.
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Q: You wrote Thursday that the Heat is in Greece to scout and not to talk to Giannis Antetokounmpo. But don’t they have to receive assurances that Giannis will re-sign before they trade half their roster and all of their drafts? – Santos.
A: Such assuredly will be handled in backchannels, particularly with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo sharing common representation. The reality is that as close as the Heat were in their negotiations with the Bucks at February’s trade deadline, there assuredly were assurances at the time of a Heat-Giannis tacit agreement on extension terms.
Q: I wonder if Kasparas Jakucionis will miss Bucks summer-league games? – Bruno.
A: I see what you did there. And, yes, Kasparas Jakucionis, who will play with Lithuania at the start of the summer, could be a potential Heat trade component in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. Of all the Heat youth that might have to be included (Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Jakucionis), Kasparas might be among the most important to retain based on positional needs (with Giannis therefore taking Kel’el’s role). There is significant potential upside with Kasparas.
Continue reading...
