ASK IRA: Should Jaquez or Jovic be the priority in a potential Heat trade for Lillard?

Q: I would keep Jaime Jaquez Jr. over Nikola Jovic, I think. – G.W.

A: But at some point, in a trade that Portland almost seems destined to be perceived to losing, you have to concede some of the decisions to the Trail Blazers. So that could prove to be more up to Portland in a Damian Lillard trade than the Heat. At some point, it also has to become more than what the Heat want. It’s give and take (Lillard).

Q: I would correct Gary Payton on one thing. The point for stars is championships. They have the pressure to get rings. Other players don’t. – Timothy.

A: And it’s not as if Damian Lillard didn’t give his all for the Blazers. And, yes, it’s also about more than championships, with Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing showing that greatness doesn’t have to wear a ring. But as Gary Payton spoke about over the weekend, it also doesn’t hurt to have one, even if it means hitching your wagons to others, as he did in 2006 with the Heat. That hardly is a sign of weakness.

Q: I don’t know why Damian Lillard thinks Miami will get him a ring. He’ll make the playoffs, but what they’ll have to give up to get him will make them not that same team that attracted him. – Anthony.

A: As long as the Heat also have Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, they will remain a concrete facsimile of the team that has advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in three of the last four seasons. We’re talking about a game where only five play at a time. Having three elite players is the best place to start, particularly in the playoffs, when there is ample time for rest and recovery. And the Heat have shown an ability to fill in the gaps on contending rosters.