ASK IRA: Will it get worse before it gets better for the Heat?
Q: Gaze into your crystal ball and tell us if the Heat are better than 10th in the East two years from now. Do you think they’re top six? How high do they go?
I think if they swing one more good trade or draft pick (they’ve done plenty of those in the last three seasons), they’re truly competing for top four. – Morgan, New Orleans. A: Considering it is difficult enough to predict next season, let alone two years down the road, let’s start there.
Clearly, Detroit, Boston, New York and Cleveland have shown staying power. Then you have to consider what Atlanta has done this season, and the fact they will receive a lottery pick because of their trade with New Orleans last June. From there, you have the growth curve of Toronto, as the Heat experienced this past week.
And let’s not forget, Indiana is getting back Tyrese Haliburton next season, and will have a full season with Ivica Zubac. And it is clear Washington for the first time in years will be playing to win, having acquired Anthony Davis and Trae Young, plus w ith another lottery pick to add to their mix . If anything, the competition figures to be even tougher for the Heat, unless they luck into a quality lottery pick.
At this stage, it is difficult to forecast a significant rise, based on how the Heat finished this season. As far as long range, remember that the Heat still owe Charlotte a first-round pick either in 2027 or 2028. So it’s not as if a rapid rebuild is necessarily in the forecast, either.