Q: So Pat Riley said the Heat are trading for Kevin Durant. Pat Riley didn’t say it, but he gave all the clues, talking about age and short contracts and a veteran who can help win the playoffs. Read the tea leaves. – Carl.

One of the most pressing issues likely to be addressed is the handling of star forward Jimmy Butler. The 35-year-old joined Miami in the summer of 2019 and helped lead the team to several deep playoff runs. However, his time with the franchise came to an ugly end this winter.

There’s a photo that Miami Heat president Pat Riley keeps in his office. It’s of Jimmy Butler, exhausted in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, catching his breath while slumped over a barrier that surrounded the court at Walt Disney World.