Q: Ira, given Jimmy Butler’s substantial salary and his advancing age, should the Heat continue to invest in him as a part-time player? Would it be wiser to explore trading Jimmy for younger talent and allocate the saved money towards retaining their developing players, rather than losing them to other teams? It seems like the Heat don’t have many enticing assets to offer in exchange for building up the team. Tyler Herro’s market value may have declined due to his frequent injuries, and the team lacks other appealing trade pieces. – Rich, Plantation.

A: I’ve received several inquiries similar to this following Jimmy Butler’s absence from Tuesday night’s loss to the Warriors due to illness. So if you’ve also expressed these concerns, consider this your response as well. The answer to all these questions boils down to one thing: we need to wait and see how this story unfolds. If the final chapter of the 2023-24 season showcases a deep playoff run, then everything else becomes insignificant, just as it did last season and the season before. If Jimmy Butler leads the Heat to at least the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth time in his five seasons with the team, then all other considerations fade away. Is it likely? Well, one could argue that last season’s improbable journey to the NBA Finals was even more unlikely.

Q: What would the tiebreakers look like if there’s a three-way tie involving the Pacers, Sixers, and Heat at the end of the season? – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.

A: Currently, the Heat hold a 2-1 record against the 76ers with one game left to play, and a 1-1 record against the Pacers with one game remaining as well. In a three-team tie situation, the Heat would have a 3-2 aggregate record against the other two teams. The Pacers, on the other hand, have concluded their three-game series with the 76ers, finishing with a 2-1 record, also resulting in a 3-2 aggregate. Therefore, the tiebreaker scenario will heavily depend on the outcome of the Heat’s game against the Pacers on April 7 in Indiana. It will be a crucial factor in determining the tiebreakers.

Q: Jaime Jaquez Jr. didn’t perform as well as he did when he was a rookie phenom, particularly in the game against the Warriors where the Heat were outscored by 24 points when he was on the court. Is he lacking effort or feeling the toll of the long NBA season? – Milton, Coconut Grove.

A: The grind of the long NBA season is certainly a contributing factor. However, Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s game thrives when he’s surrounded by quality teammates, especially alongside Jimmy Butler. The recent game against the Warriors showed that he is not yet ready to be the primary star, which is understandable given his current stage of development. Nevertheless, his relentless effort should not be questioned, as he consistently works hard off the ball, despite his limited experience in the league.