Mailbag: Who should the Miami Heat’s young players model their games after?

Who should the Miami Heat’s young players model their games after? Is it best to just re-sign their current free agents, and would the Heat trade for Melo?

You can send future mailbag questions to LockedOnHeat@gmail.com. Thanks to those of you who have sent questions. In addition to answering them on the podcast, I’ll answer them in this weekly column. You can subscribe to the daily Locked On Heat podcast here.

How different would this team be if they had chosen to call up Briante Weber rather than choosing to call up Okaro White?

It’s an interesting thought, considering that with Dion Waiters’ late-season injury that the team could have used an extra playmaker. However, Weber just isn’t that. He can’t run an NBA offense (yet) and isn’t a good enough outside shooter to warrant respect and space the floor. Weber is a fan favorite because he tries hard and has great hair, but he isn’t ready for the NBA. Not yet. Don’t take the Heat’s word for it. Weber couldn’t stick with the Warriors or Hornets, either.

What players, current or former, should our young players look to draw inspiration from and try to model their games after this offseason? Personally I hope Josh Richardson chooses to watch a lot of tape of Khris Middleton this summer. With a similar frame, outside touch and perimeter defensive skills, I believe Josh can really learn a few things by studying Middleton, who has quickly established himself as an elite 2-guard in the league. – Alexander Vicksen

I like the Middleton comparison for Josh Richardson. Richardson’s is 30 pounds lighter than Middleton, though, and doesn’t have the same potential as far as post moves.

But what about Eddie Jones? Former Heat player with a similar frame (6-foot-6, 190 pounds) who was a knockdown shooter, attack guys on closeouts and play defense. I love the idea of locking Richardson in a room in AmericanAirlines Arena for two months and making him watch Eddie Jones film. Is that not the most Heat Culture thing ever?

Here’s some other aspirational comparisons:

Winslow and Andre Iguodala: I know we like to compare him to Kawhi Leonard, but that’s a tall ask. Iguodala has been Golden State’s shutdown defender, he’s an extra ball handler and facilitator, and makes smart, winning plays. He checks so many boxes that his lack of a consistent outside jumper doesn’t matter as much.

Tyler Johnson and Jamal Crawford: If the Heat can rely on Tyler Johnson for 15 points and three assists per game off the bench, that’s worth the money.

Hassan Whiteside and Shaquille O’Neal: Whiteside won’t ever be Shaq, but that’s who I hope he watched film of this summer. Maybe he’ll grow to appreciate Shaq’s passing ability and positional dominance.

With the new CBA making it hard to pry the Gordon Hayward’s and Blake Griffin’s of the world via free agency, could the Heat be looking to keep assets in house for future potential moves? As you said a while back, you wanna get your team within one move of being title contenders and you could set yourself up with that by keeping Waiters and Johnson. – Chris Leach

I think that’s Pat Riley’s plan right now. Check out this column for a longer explanation, but here;s the gist: The Heat don’t have a ton of assets, and James Johnson, Dion Waiters and Willie Reed have never been more valuable than they are now. Re-sign them, and you can still trade them later if the right player comes available.

If the New York Knicks called up Miami and offered Carmelo Anthony and their first-round pick (currently no. 7) in exchange for Whiteside or Dragic, what do you think they should say? Would the answer change if New York insisted Tyler Johnson be included in the deal? Also assuming that they’d be willing to absorb the McRoberts contract. – Bryan Young

I don’t think that trade makes sense for either team. The Knicks will be seeking young players, draft picks and cap relief if they launch a rebuild and trade Carmelo Anthony. They aren’t getting any of that in this deal, and are losing a top-10 pick.

The Heat, meanwhile, would be running in place. You lose one veteran to bring in another. Miami would still only have two Almost Stars and an even smaller championship window (Anthony only has one guaranteed season left on his deal).

Trading for Anthony would mean mortgaging the future. Whiteside and Dragic are far from untouchable for the right star player, but they’re untouchable in a win-now trade like one for Anthony would be.

Next: Josh Richardson came on strong at the end of the season

What do you think about OG Anunoby? – Yusuf Kiggundu

Anunoby could have been a top-seven pick before injuring his knee this last season. He’ll likely fall to somewhere around the middle of the first round. He could be a steal if he gets healthy. Josh Jackson is the best two-way small forward in the draft, but a healthy Anunoby is right behind him. He still leaves something to be desired offensively, but he and Winslow would be a fearsome defensive tandem.