ASK IRA: Could Heat experience a major roster turnover this offseason?

The way Pat Riley has cashed in on talented rookies in the past (Caron Butler comes to mind) means Justise Winslow in

A: I'm going to take a wider view of your question, although I do agree that Justise certainly could prove to be the difference in topping off a trade, just as Caron was in the deal that landed Shaquille O'Neal. Instead, I've been thinking about which players are the most likely to definitively be in uniform with the Heat next season from the current roster. To me, Dwyane Wade and Josh Richardson are the only locks. While Justise, Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts are under guaranteed contract to the Heat for 2016-17, Justise has the value you mentioned as a potential trade sweetener, Goran could be moved (although not likely) to create additional cap space, Bosh remains uncertain because of his health, and McRoberts hardly has cast himself as must-keep. Then there is Tyler Johnson, who could stand as the third-most-likely player to stay, unless an outside team offers a huge free-agency contract, which does not appear likely in light of his shoulder issue. Beyond that, everyone and anyone either does not have fully guaranteed money or is a free agent. Richardson, with his non-guaranteed contract, remains too much of a value to be headed anywhere, But otherwise? Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Gerald Green, Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright are all impending free agents, with Briante Weber only with a conditionally guaranteed contract. Overall, I would say that you would start with the group of Wade, Richardson, Tyler Johnson and Udonis Haslem as those most likely to be back. After that? July will tell.

Q: Hey Ira, there has been a lot of focus on Chris Bosh's health, Hassan Whiteside and Kevin Durant free agency (which are all of importance). However, there some other issues the Heat need to address such as adding quality depth in the power rotation, such as Willie Reed, Jordan Hill or Jason Smith. All are serviceable and versatile power forwards and centers. What are your thoughts? -- Rodney, Miami.

A: There are two parts of free agency: The "sooner," which involves players such as Whiteside and Durant, and then the "later," which involves the players like the list you offer, similar to when the Heat made their moves last summer for Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green. Not to go too Pat Riley-esque on this, but the main thing in free agency is about the prime candidates, and the main thing will remain the main thing for the Heat at the outset of the negotiating and signing period.