ASK IRA: Are Heat positioned to contend with Pistons’ bulk?

Q: This looks more like the team at the start of the year. A lot of good from a lot of players. The Detroit game should be a good one. – Douglas.

A: Keep in mind that Jalen Duren was not available for the Pistons when Detroit won 138-135 on Nov. 29 at Kaseya Center, sitting out with a leg contusion. Still, that was a heck of a finish for the Heat, coming back from 15 down with 3:15 to play to within two with 34.2 seconds left, before Cade Cunningham put it away with a jumper with 20.2 seconds to play, to cap his 29-point night. While the scoring was up in that one, this will be a test of the Heat’s physicality, when considering the competition of both Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The Heat recently played the Knicks and Celtics close on the road, with this the latest opportunity to show what they have (or don’t have) against the East’s best.

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Q: Ira, come on. There is zero chance Tyler Herro agrees to play the final year of his deal without some extension. – D.B.

A: Um, he has no choice, since 2026-27 is not a player option. Now, he could act out like Jimmy Butler did on what could have been the final year of his deal, but Tyler Herro already has stressed that such is not his style. It just would seem to make sense for both sides to play it out next season and then address any new salary for Tyler in 2027 free agency. To a degree, it also would be Tyler betting on himself about a return to health and breakout 2026-27. Right now, Tyler hardly is positioned to be paid on an extension what he believes is his worth.

Q: Given the Heat’s need for bulk and size as a backup to Kel’el Ware, why is Vlad Goldin not being given a chance of some minutes so as to evaluate the Heat’s investment of a two-way contract? – Robert.

A: Typically, two-way contracts are offered while taking the long view. So it’s not as if Vlad Goldin was added for the moment, but rather the future. That said, the lack of agility with Vlad’s incredible bulk means adopting a specific defensive style, one less in line with what is being played in the power rotation with Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware or even Nikola Jovic. What Vlad has to do, be it in the G League or Heat practices, is to show there is enough to his game for the Heat to adjust defensively to his needs. What I will say is he has shown during drill work more of a 3-point stroke that might have been anticipated.