ASK IRA: Are Heat at a crossroads when it comes to living in moment or resetting future?

Q: Ira, hypothetically, which of these two transactions would put more fans in their seats in the arena: Trading Bam Adebayo for a lottery pick? Or acquiring Kevin Durant? This is a business after all and more fans in the seats equal more revenue for the owners. Do you think that to be a consideration with the Arisons? They may not come out and admit it, but wouldn’t that be part of the consideration?  – Barry, Deerfield Beach.

A: Honestly, I think the answer, if it were even to be addressed by ownership, would be that all the tickets are sold, with the Heat stressing the selling out of the last 642 non-pandemic games at Kaseya Center (and the arena’s previous names). That said, fans gravitate to the NBA to see stars. And say what you want about this stage of his career, Kevin Durant still has the gravitas of a star. That said, ownership rarely has gotten in the way of team building when it comes to the ultimate goal of on-court success. So just as it ever was, the green lighting of either move would be based on whether either move would make the team better in the standings both now and in the future.

Q: The Heat holding a draft party means we’re keeping the first-round pick, even in various trade situations. I was all for that idea. – Matt.

A: Or not. There is the marketing wing of the Heat and the basketball-operations wing. Whether it is immediately before the draft or even during the draft, the basketball side is not going to hesitate about potentially trading out of the draft if it enhances the team’s greater good. Either way, Burnie still will be signing autographs (actually, does he even have fingers?).

Q: The Thunder pick should belong to us. I see no reason to have a draft party.  – Dev.

A: Then, well . . . get over it. Yes, the Thunder, even with their playoff success, will be picking ahead of the Heat with that No. 15 pick, with that the selection the Heat dealt in 2019 to sign Jimmy Butler. And for that cost, the Heat got five high-level seasons of Jimmy. So if your patience doesn’t allow the waiting for the Heat’s pick 25 minutes later at No. 20 (the pick the Heat got from the Warriors for the outgoing Butler trade), so be it. But there was nothing wrong with the Butler trade in 2019 and the playoff payoff leaves no room for regrets now.