Ira Winderman: Reflecting on the net loss of Rozier-Lowry, the Butler angle and a Warrior mentality

MIAMI With Thursday marking the one-year anniversary of what could go down as one of the worst trades in the Miami Heats 37 seasons, it also stands as a time to consider what the franchise has done in its laudable-yet-concerning constant bid to remain relevant, to live in the moment.

Such consideration seems particularly apropos in light of a similar situation playing out with the Golden State Warriors that has been addressed several times in recent days.

First that Heat trade on Jan.

23, 2024, as listed by the Heat: Acquired guard Terry Rozier III from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first-round pick.

In the moment, it was clear something had to be done with Lowry, whose sulking amid a reduced role largely had become intolerable within the organization.

And in that moment, Rozier was in the midst of a breakout offensive season in Charlotte.

Yes, Lowry was an expiring contract.

And yes, Rozier now not only has the balance of this season at $24.9 million on his his contract, but also next season at as much as $26.6 million.

But even with Roziers diminished play this season Friday nights 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists in the loss to the Denver Nuggets notwithstanding something clearly had to be done at this point last season.

Or did it? From a Heat perspective, it was little more than business as usual, a franchise that since Pat Rileys arrival three decades ago arguably only twice has opted against living in the moment while collecting lottery balls in 2007-08 (Come on down Michael Beasley!) and when saving up cap cash for the 2010 free-agency haul of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

But now, a year later, the reality is not only could that 2027 first-round pick be particularly valuable, but if the Heat fail to make the playoffs this season (they entered the weekend No.

9 in the East), it would turn into an unprotected lottery pick in 2028.

Argue, if you choose, about whether the Heat should have or needed to go that hard, with the inclusion of the pick, to take Roziers salary off the Hornets hands.

Only Andy Elisburg, Riley and ownership have that answer.

But in these NBA days and times when free agency is not the be-all end-all in roster construction, when multi-pick deals more often reshape rosters (Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland; Mikal Bridges in New York; etc.), first-rounders arguably have more efficacy than ever, particularly picks that can wind up unprotected.

So is the Heats way still the right way, sending out picks to keep the train moving in real time, future thought left to the future? The Heat perspective is that only two of the teams next seven picks are committed elsewhere (with a 2025 or 26 first-rounder also due to the Oklahoma City Thunder, believe it or not, to complete the 2019 sign-and-trade addition of Jimmy Butler).

Against that backdrop has come a compelling counterpoint from the Warriors, who are in the midst of a mediocrity that currently mirrors that of the Heat.

Amid speculation of Golden State mortgaging its future for a win-now deal possibly, no less, one for Butler both players and the coach have proffered protecting the future of the franchise.

For a moment, allow that to marinate that at a time when much has come out from Butlers camp about what the Heat havent done to supplement their star, the likes of no less than Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have publicly spoken of an appreciation for what needs to remain standing in their basketball afterlife.

From Curry: Desperate trades or desperate moves that deplete the future ...

there is a responsibility on keeping the franchise in a good space and good spot ...

where we leave this thing when were done.

From Green, to Yahoo Sports: The beautiful part about being in the space that were in is, Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and myself all disagree with mortgaging off the future of this organization, saying that were going for it right now.

Bad teams do that.

Bad organizations do that.

Were not one.

Contrast that to Lowry for Rozier ...

and a first-round pick.

Contrast that to Butler wanting more at his side both in the moment, as well as his reported disappointment of the Heat allowing the supporting likes of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and others to depart.

Understand, Butler has every right, certainly at 35, to live in the moment, in this moment, when advancing to a third NBA Finals with the Heat looks like the most abstract of abstracts.

And then consider those thoughts of Curry and Green, albeit players who have experienced a far higher level of career playoff success than Butler.

For his part, there has been this from Kerr, who, as coach, very much has the mandate to live in the moment: I hope theres not a misconception that were not fighting and scrapping and hoping that we can do everything possible to keep this thing going.

Because thats what were doing.

It almost feels like the narrative became, The Warriors are giving in.

Were not giving in.

Were just not giving away the future.

Those are two totally different things.

Exactly.

The moment always should have meaning, as Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Riley, Elisburg assuredly will continue to contend.

But the future also needs protecting, no matter how concerning that can stand for a player such as Butler.

You have to be realistic organizationally about where you are, Kerr said of his Warriors, in their parallel to the Heat.

And you have to keep in mind whats coming ahead in the future.

I probably wont be around, but I would tell you, if this organization gave away the next six or seven drafts for a wild swing, that would be the most irresponsible thing they could do.

A year ago, in making the Rozier-Lowry trade, the Heat tried to have it both ways.

At the moment, it is hard to view it certainly through the prism of future thought as anything but a net loss.

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