Miami Heat: Should Kyle Lowry’s Minutes Be Monitored?
By Isiah Curry
With Miami unwilling to exceed the luxury tax to sign an experienced reserve ball-handler, a short-term solution will be to stagger minutes between Lowry, Butler, and Adebayo to keep an active playmaker on the floor at all times.
A mulling return of Victor Oladipo — who won’t be available until somewhere before the All-Star break — the Heat will eventually have another experienced, yet willing facilitator return to their lineup. Taking Lowry’s position into account, the Heat will have immediate options at the backup point guard spot.
With Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro expected to fill in for Kyle, each have previously spent time sharing ball-handler duties in short spurts last year, but neither received consistent enough time to see an exponential amount growth. As they’re both expected to be key rotational players next season, those opportunities will re-open whenever Lowry heads to the bench.
Altogether, it doesn’t seem rational to constantly play Lowry for 35-plus minutes in the middle of the season, as he did last year in Toronto. Miami is expected to be in a better situation winning-wise and controlling the veteran’s minutes should be within their best interest.
Even if he’s entering the final stages of his career, Lowry’s below-the-rim play-style is enabling for the Heat franchise. His game isn’t defied by elite athleticism and it’s suited for him to play into his late thirties.
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However, the Miami Heat’s window to win a championship is narrow, meaning they’ll need a healthy and prepared Lowry throughout next season. The wear and tear shouldn’t be ignored and keeping his minutes monitored should merit the desired postseason success.