Q How long is Hassan Whiteside's current contract? I'm guessing the Heat will not let him get away. -- Chet.

A: The Heat have Whiteside locked into a veteran-minimum, non-guaranteed contract for next season. That's the good part. The concern -- and this is taking a long view -- is that Whiteside could then command the type of salary during the 2016 free-agency free-for-all that would box the Heat out of other possibilities. However, if the Heat are sold on Whiteside's long-term prospects by season's end, it also could have Pat Riley considering more of a move into the 2015 free-agency pool, perhaps content to move forward with the right to re-sign Whiteside, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng, while continuing with Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts (or dealing one of the latter two). The Heat's 2016 free-agency plans did not include having to commit another big contract to a current player outside of the mainstays. Whiteside could change that thinking. He also could get Riley to fast-track his approach. In that respect, Whiteside could be more than a game-changer. He could be an offseason-changer.

Q: Isn't it a shame that Hassan Whiteside wasn't on the Heat's roster last year, because with him in the fold, I'm convinced LeBron James would have stayed in Miami. Don't you agree? -- Rich

Q: If Dwyane Wade played last year like he did Sunday in Chicago, is it possible LeBron thinks twice? I mean maybe Wade got a little lazy last year because he had James do the heavy lifting. -- Martin.

A: Look, it's time to move on. Could-have-beens can drive you crazy in any sport, with any team. What Sunday was about was another step forward by the most promising Heat big man in years, and a reminder of what Wade still can be. The irony is that if the Heat catch up and pass the Bucks, who they play Tuesday, it is possible the Heat could meet the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. And just like there is no use in wondering what would have happened had LeBron stayed, there also should be no great anticipation of such an opening-round matchup. At this stage, LeBron is better out of mind, out of bracket for the Heat.

Q: I have been watching the Heat since the first year. I have not seen any unknown player make this much of an impact. Ike Austin was the closest thing. Have you seen anything like this in your tenure? -- Jeffrey.

A: Ike Austin is a good comparison, but someone Whiteside still needs to work toward emulating. Austin did it over an entire season, not just three weeks. The shame is the one season when Whiteside played one game for the Kings, otherwise he could have been selected for the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star Weekend.