ASK IRA: Is Heat’s Jaquez prime example of allowing young talent to play through growing pains?

5 days ago 2

Q: Jaime Jaquez Jr. is Exhibit A on why you shouldn’t give up on young talent and trade it for over-the-hill “whales.” The growth curve isn’t always linear, but eventually the patience is rewarded and you have a roster coming into its prime that can compete for many years. – Ray, Deerfield Beach.

A: But you also have to give in order to get. For example, Caron Butler hardly was a prospect at his peak when the Heat dealt him for Shaquille O’Neal, but it proved to be the right move at the right time. You also have to factor in a player’s ultimate upside. For example, if Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s ultimate upside is as a sixth man, then you would have to consider trades for players that could be starting staples. So, yes, you certainly can relish the development of the likes of Jaime, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, even Nikola Jovic, but turning a bunch of contributors into a leading man has to remain the priority. For now, nothing wrong with relishing those first-quarter moments when Jaime strikes to the scorers’ table.

Q: There was a time early in the season and with Tyler Herro healthy that I thought Norman Powell would be best suited coming off the bench. But he has proven all year long that he is a mainstay as a starter and a good choice to represent the Heat in the All-Star game. Heck of a pickup for Heat. – Douglas.

A: Arguably the best value acquisition ever(?) for the Heat, considering the cost of (again, with all due respect) Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson. Unlike so many other Heat trade success stories, this one did not require draft capitals (which even was the case with the LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic additions).

Q: In your recent article about potential Heat trades, you didn’t mention Bam Adebayo. Shouldn’t the Heat look to move Bam’s contract before his salary balloons to nearly $50 million next season? If one compares the 14 other players currently making over $50 million per year, Bam simply doesn’t measure up. – Peter, Miami.

A: From an offensive standpoint, I agree. But his unique defensive abilities are particularly beneficial to the Heat. As for the piece you reference, it was about losing players with potentially nothing in return, players such as Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, who could stand as free agents in the offseason. With Bam Adebayo, there is more time to take a deeper offseason dive into those possibilities.

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