Ira Winderman

(Last in a five-part positional series in advance of Thursday's NBA draft) There was a time when Hassan Whiteside was the future at center for the Miami Heat. That was the stroke of midnight on July 1, 2016, when a four-year, $98 million contract was offered. There soon will be a time when Whiteside...

Q: I have a Dion Waiters question: I can understand why Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra may want to move him because of his conditioning last season. But if he’s working hard on getting into Riley-type shape, as I read he is, then I can't figure out why there is so much talk about moving him -- even...

(Fourth in a five-part positional series in advance of Thursday's NBA draft) If the Miami Heat's selection at Thursday's NBA draft turns out to be a power forward, it will be nothing more than the continuation of a pattern with the team's lottery picks. In 2017, the last time the Heat held a first-round...

Q: Ira, you tweeted that the Heat shouldn't give up Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson or Bam Adebayo for the No. 4 pick that the Pelicans are shopping. That's like saying you wouldn't trade the No. 10, No. 14 or a second-round pick for No. 4. Do they teach math at the Sun Sentinel? -- Al. A: No,...

(Third in a five-part positional series in advance of Thursday's NBA draft) The question to a long-time NBA scout was simple and to the point, "Is there such a thing anymore as a 6-foot-6 NBA small forward?" The response was immediate, "There are few. No, not really." Josh Richardson is listed...

Q: I'm starting to convince myself that Bol Bol is the best option for the Heat, assuming the pick stays at No. 13, despite a crowded power rotation. I actually think that the Heat's depth could benefit Bol: He'd be able to essentially redshirt his rookie year, work with the Heat’s tremendous strength...

With the final game of the NBA season in the books, speculation season has headed into overdrive, careening to the point where Dion Waiters-to-the-Warriors has merited ESPN speculation. In a piece by respected ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton, speculation was offered about how the Golden State Warriors...

Q: This is fine. Goran Dragic, if he stays healthy, is still the Heat's best player on offense. If the team is tanking at the midway point of season, I'm sure they can trade him for a draft pick. Several playoff teams would take a shot at him at the trade deadline. -- Josh. A: And that is another...

(Second in a five-part positional series in advance of the June 20 NBA draft) The glut is gone. And the need is back. While augmenting at shooting guard had been considered a luxury for the Miami Heat in recent years, it practically stands as a necessity at the moment, as considerations are made...

Q: I am confused, why would Goran Dragic opt in now and not wait until after the draft? He has now opened himself to a higher percentage of getting traded now. I'm concerned; he is my favorite player on the Heat squad. -- Terry, Miami Beach. A: I, too, thought that something seemed fishy when it...

Goran Dragic is back in play for the Miami Heat, with the Sun Sentinel confirming Thursday through an NBA source that the veteran point guard has picked up the $19.2 million 2019-20 option on his contract. Dragic had until June 29 to inform the Heat of his opt-in decision. By rule, he was ineligible...

The Miami Heat have yet to make a move on the personnel market this offseason, but big man Kelly Olynyk already feels the team has suffered "a massive loss." That was the 7-footer's perspective when asked Thursday about assistant coach Juwan Howard's recent decision to leave the Heat to become...

(First in a five-part positional series in advance of the June 20 NBA draft) There was a time when being a point guard primarily meant being a playmaker. That allowed Magic Johnson to develop into a shooter, afforded Rajon Rondo the opportunity to thrive without much in the way of an outside game,...

Q: Ira, Anthony Davis' agent said to Sports Illustrated that Davis will be a free agent in 2020 no matter where he is traded. Bingo! Pat Riley needs to clear the deck to open enough salary-cap space. -- Charles. A: But he also could settle into his destination of choice (Lakers) with full Bird...

The Miami Heat will host an NBA draft party at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 20. The Heat hold the No. 13 selection, which currently is their lone pick, without a choice in the second of the two rounds due to a previous trade. Doors for the event open at 6:30 p.m., with the broadcast of the selections...