ASK IRA: Could/would Heat show required patience with kid stuff if Butler is allowed to bolt?

Q: We have our last three draft picks in the rotation playing significant minutes now.

And while Tyler Herro is playing like an All-Star, Bam Adebayo is not.

If we have to move forward with this young core, should Heat fans reassess their expectations for what success looks like? Eddie, Miami.

A: Absolutely.

Whether the Heat made/make it work or not with Jimmy Butler , a turn to youth was coming .

The last three first-round picks all have shown their value with NBA-level skills.

So now it is back to where the Heat stood before adding Butler in 2019, as a team seeking its next leading man, something Tyler Herro cannot be without more of a defensive bent, something Bam Adebayo cannot be without more of an offensive bent.

That is why the little things such as cap flexibility and draft assets have to be prioritized, as a means of positioning for the next big move.

But, yes, that also will require patience.

Perhaps lots of patience.

Related Articles Q: It looks like Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is back to where he was last year.

That helps.

Mike.

A: Which has been a benefit of a Jimmy Butler situation that hardly appeared beneficial.

Slump busting is far easier when you know the minutes are going to be there.

Now the minutes have been there.

With the late 3-pointer and the late free throws in Utah, Jaime Jaquez Jr got to exorcise two demons on short order.

This is the Jaime the Heat need going forward.

Who knows, perhaps he yet makes it back to the Rising Stars during All-Star Weekend.

Q: Think Joe Cronin regrets not taking Tyler Herro for Damian Lillard? Steve.

A: Highly doubt it.

Or at least not as much as he might regret taking Deandre Ayton from the Suns.

One thing about NBA front offices is there can be no looking back.

Now, should Joe Cronin regret not taking Tyler Herro (and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

and/or Nikola Jovic)? It sure as heck would appear that way..

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