ASK IRA: Time for NBA to cook the books in Heat favor after Hornets/Rozier fiasco?
Q: Ira, please tell me the Heat are not satisfied with a second-round pick for the Terry Rozier drama and that there is still some recourse. The NBA failed to provide the Heat with any information on the gambling investigation, and apparently their own internal NBA investigation was suspect, at best, and turned the other cheek, at worst, ignoring the facts. I’m hoping the Heat bring a formal lawsuit against the NBA which would be bolstered should Rozier be found guilty at trial or he pleads out.
There is no excuse for what has transpired and the Heat deserve to have their first-round pick restored and the money paid to Rozier back, as well. This could be, for the Heat at least, two high first-round picks and could change the trajectory of the franchise without gutting the team for a whale, and set them up for years with a payroll that could add talent as needed. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Except NBA teams don’t sue the league (unless it is a certain owner in a very large market that has aired such grievances publicly, but that’s another story). In accepting the compromise of a second-round pick this June from the Hornets in the Terry Rozier matter , the Heat effectively signed off on the matter being closed. Now, if you are of the conspiracy ilk, perhaps Adam Silver can turn in some lottery chicanery (if the Heat are in the lottery) and get the Heat the type of lottery remuneration that the Mavericks wound up with in Cooper Flagg after trading Luka Doncic.
At worst, how about sending Ray Acosta, Derrick Collins and Eric Dalen as the officiating crew for the Heat-Hornets play-in game? The Heat this season went a combined 14-3 with those three officiating their games this season. Related Articles Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!
Q: Ira, why win on Sunday when it would only hurt the lottery odds, since the Hornets are winning in New York with the Knicks with nothing to play for? – Sammie. A: Which is why the NBA scheduled all of those East games for 6 p.