Miami Heat President Pat Riley speaks to the media during his season-ending press conference at Kaseya Center on May 9, 2025, in Miami. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
The Miami Herald’s Heat mailbag is here to answer your questions. If you weren’t able to ask this time, send your questions for future mailbags via X (@Anthony_Chiang). You can also email them to achiang@miamiherald.com
Dylan: We have been hearing from the media (both local and national) that the Heat have been very selective about who they pursue to preserve assets/cap space for certain summer years down the line in the hopes of landing a blue chip superstar. The latest example being a reported lack of a true pursuit for Ja Morant.
My question is this: What are the chances the Heat look to sell at the deadline for once? Not a complete tear down, we know that won’t happen (nor would I want it to as someone watching every game). But how about gauging the market for valuable vets like Wiggins or Powell? If it is genuinely their approach to wait for the next superstar to fall in their lap - fine. How they can look at the evolution of the league over the last few years and still take that approach is another question. But why not make moves on the margin to accumulate assets and free up minutes for the younger players in the process? It was understandable to hold onto Strus and Gabe in 2023 and risk losing them for nothing - we saw the payoff there with a deep playoff run. It is abundantly clear this team is not competing in the playoffs as currently constructed and lacks a clear path to change that.
I have long been defensive of the team’s decisions for years, but I am nearing a breaking point along with many others. After the same result for years and hearing the same excuses for years, we are long overdue for some change.
Anthony Chiang: I think this is the big Heat question ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, especially if the losses keep piling up. Will the Heat trade away veterans to accumulate assets (draft picks, young players in need of a change of scenery, etc)? The Heat is never looking to take a step back, and dealing away starters like Norman Powell and/or Andrew Wiggins won’t help the team in the short-term. But adding a tradeable first-round pick to its list of assets would help the Heat this offseason and down the road when potentially pursuing an available star in the trade market. The Heat is currently only able to trade two unprotected first-round picks.
The other question is could the Heat even get a first-round pick for Powell and/or Wiggins in a potential deal in the coming weeks?
The Heat has some difficult and important decisions to make ahead of next month’s trade deadline after a disappointing first half of the season. Miami is always against a complete tear down and won’t do that this season, but a strong argument can be made to make some trades before Feb. 5 that can help the future of the franchise.
Alexander: How can Spo continue down this path of having such a short leash with Ware while also trying to maintain Ware’s value as an asset? The guy so obviously needs a minimum of 20-25 minutes a night and this coaching style is inflicting a double whammy of undermining his confidence while depreciating his value in the eyes of any suitors, no?
Anthony: It’s a tough balance because coach Erik Spoelstra’s job is to help the Heat win as many games as possible. And second-year center Kel’el Ware’s minutes have often not been in the green this season. The Heat has been outscored by 3.2 points per 100 possessions this season while Ware has been on the court. With Ware on the bench, the Heat has outscored opponents by 5.9 points per 100 possessions this season.
But there’s also a benefit in allowing Ware to play through his struggles, giving him an opportunity to figure things out and grow with more in-game reps. Ware has certainly already had some really encouraging performances this season, but it’s his inconsistency that has been the issue. Spoelstra has often said he sometimes wants his young players to play like veterans, but that’s simply unrealistic for most 21-year-olds like Ware. Patience is required.
Allen: Is there any truth to the report from Brian Windhorst saying that the Heat are not expected to go after Ja Morant and that they are waiting until 27-28 free agency?
Anthony: The Heat’s interest in Ja Morant has been overstated, up to this point. There have been some preliminary discussions between the Heat and Memphis Grizzlies because the Heat is always going to do its due diligence. But as of a few days ago, the talks had not advanced beyond that.