Q: Ira, it’s starting to look like once again Pat Riley has made a mistake signing one of his players (this time Nikola Jovic) to a large extension that will impact the ability to re-sign more contributing players or free agents. — Joel, Fort Lauderdale
A: It’s seven games into the season, so perhaps bring the temperature down a bit? Plus, payroll perspective also is required. Nikola Jovic’s extension that kicks in next season is four years, $62.4 million. That basically is mid-level money per season. So real concern only becomes part of the equation if you feel he is not playing as a mid-level player (which basically can be as an eighth-man). This is not the type of money Tyler Herro would be seeking on an extension. But, agreed, Nikola was not very good against the Clippers, far too passive at a moment that called for more. What the heat needed Monday night from Nikola was something closer to the energy provided by Pelle Larsson.
Q: Everyone keeps focusing on Terry Rozier’s expiring contract. So if we were holding on to Rozier for the expiring contract and ability to trade, wouldn’t we be in an even better position with him off the books? – Mike, Miami Lakes.
A: No, because even if the NBA comes around and removes Terry’s $26.6 million contract from the Heat’s books, the Heat still would be over the cap, and lack the ability to take in far more salary than they send out. With Terry on the books and eligible to be dealt, the Heat would have had greater ease matching a large incoming salary in a trade. When you are over the cap, every dollar that comes off the cap does not necessarily mean an equal dollar that can be spent from the cap.
Q: If the Heat are ever going to be title contenders they need Kel’el Ware to develop into a more dominant center. I watch him getting shoved around under the basket and, although the effort may be there, the strength is not. He gets his share of rebounds because of his height, but he does not get the “tough” rebounds. But, then again, he is only 21, so the Heat have plenty of time to build him up. What bothers me is that Ware still needs constant reminders to keep his motor going. Come on, welcome to the big league. You give it all you have at all times. Will he also have to be reminded to be more aggressive? So, my question is: Do you think that Ware, as he gets stronger, will have the inner trait to get nasty and be able to contest against the better NBA centers? – Irwin, Boynton Beach.
A: No. That does not appear how he is wired. At this point, it seems as if the Heat need to find a Kel’el Ware “whisperer,” whether that is big-man coach Malik Allen or otherwise. I would have said Alonzo Mourning, but the two already have been spending ample time talking, with Kel’el hardly Zo-like in his approach. Some might say Erik Spoelstra, but it has to come from more than the coach, whose job it is to implore all. The effort was better Monday against the Clippers, but it is apparent there could be more there. Kel’el basically is a nice guy. But NBA nice guys finish . . .