ASK IRA: Who best to fill out Heat rotation: Thompson? Beal? DeRozan?

By admin — In News — July 16, 2026

   ​Q: Ira, who would be your choice to add among Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan? – Sandy.A: First, much of that depends on what LeBron James decides, since that would have an impact on both the Heat’s remaining cap space and the number of potential roster spots available. (If Bronny James were to be part of a LeBron package deal, which is not necessarily the case, that could leave the Heat without any available roster space, since only two additional spots are likely to be filled at the moment, in order to maintain flexibility under the hard cap.) Second, it comes down to money. Klay Thompson is due $17.5 million this coming season from the Mavericks. So if he were to work out a buyout, it likely would have to be with enough of a giveback for Dallas to give consideration. If the Heat were to have a chunk of their mid-level available to cover the cost of a Klay giveback in a Dallas buyout, it could make such a scenario more palatable. Then there is Bradley Beal, who walked away from a $5.6 million player option from the Clippers. So would he, too, need to know there is enough left from the Heat’s mid-level to cover the cost of bypassing that final season on his Clippers deal? Considering the Heat need someone to command attention at the 3-point line, if all elements were equal, I would think the Heat preference, in order, would be: Thompson, Beal, DeRozan. But all things are not equal.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement Submit your “Ask Ira” question here! Q: Can we get our first rounder back from the Hornets now? – Jason.A: It is interesting how the NBA is allowing this Kawhi Lenard-Aspiration investigation to take as long as it takes, while they washed their hands of the Terry Rozier investigation, allowed the Rozier trade from the Hornets to the Heat, and then after the fact decided a second-round pick from Charlotte was sufficient restitution. What the Heat needed then is what the NBA is doing now with Lenard and the Clippers, is making “4imprint sure.”Q: Ira, is that common, for a second-round pick to have so much success at summer league the team brings him back? Why not give him as many reps as possible? What’s the point of not leaving him there to play? – Justin.A: First, while the party line is having seen enough, there likely is more at play. First, Ryan Conwell was held out of Monday night’s loss to the Cavaliers with hip soreness. Beyond that, when counting the camp the Heat held prior to the California Classic, it already has been two full weeks of work with the summer roster, even before the final two games in Las Vegas. Often, in fairness to those who have worked with the team with only minimal playing time, the final two games of summer league often are when they are given their showcases, whether for camp tryout contracts elsewhere or to be seen by scouts from the G League or overseas. There is still plenty for Ryan to show the Heat, with the Heat’s offseason workout program at Kaseya Center  

Content Source: Yahoo News

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