Q: Hello, Ira. As of right now, how many first-round draft picks better is Donovan Mitchell over Tyler Herro? Offensively, Mitchell is currently the more polished player, but defensively he’s not an upgrade over Tyler. Tyler Herro is 6 feet 5, whereas Mitchell is only 6-1. As Herro continues to mature his game and body, I think Herro is the player that offers more upside in the long run. What are your thoughts? – Carlos, West Park.
A: This to me is the crux of any Tyler Herro trade discussion, exactly how much sweetener, if any, should be included. We know the Jazz want draft picks, with it likely that Tyler could be flipped for at least two (with protections). But when it comes to sending Tyler and multiple picks, that’s where risk/reward enters the equation. And then even more so if the Jazz also seek sweeteners along the lines of a Max Strus of Omer Yurtseven. Donovan Mitchell is universally considered better than Tyler at the moment; that is the NBA’s assessment. But how much better has to be considered when considering potential trade sweeteners. As it is, Utah appears to be overreaching at the moment, just as the Nets did with Kevin Durant.
Q: The Heat finish around four or fifth in the regular season, lucky if they have home court in the first round. – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: And you certainly could be correct, considering the Heat finished last season two games ahead of the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers, who all tied for second. So once you add in the Nets and their renewed Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving hope, there could be a particularly challenging Nos. 4-5 series ahead. But the East also was deep last season, and the Heat found a way to avoid such a test. So basically put your doubts on hold at the moment, considering the Heat tend to find a way.
Q: Hello Ira, I remember Pat Riley saying that Micky Arison expressed his willingness to go into the tax, so long as the Miami Heat are legitimate contenders for a NBA title. Since Jimmy Butler’s arrival we have indeed been contenders, so why do you think the reluctance to spend now while we have this window with Butler and Kyle Lowry? – Carlos, West Park.
A: Because it has to be for the right player, especially when it comes to triggering the clock on the repeater tax. For Kevin Durant, the tax concerns assuredly would have been put aside. Perhaps for Donovan Mitchell, as well. For now, the Heat have found a way to make it work with the maximum (or near maximum) salaries of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry. For now, it would be a 15th man that would put the Heat into the tax.
()