Q: The Heat are in desperate need of shooters, that is obvious to us all. We also know no matter how hard the Heat push after All-Star break that no team in the East is strong enough to take out the Cavaliers in a series right no. So our main solution should be to gear up for next season. -- Earl, Jersey City, N.J.

A: For as uneven a ride as it has been to this point, you can't simply scrap it and say wait 'til next year. Not with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at their ages and salaries. And not when you still own the 76ers a Top 10-protected first-round pick. And not when the No. 3 seed, the one that keeps you out of the Cavaliers' bracket before the Eastern Conference finals (as does the No. 6 seed), is still within reach. I think the opposite is true, that the Heat have to be careful not to overreach because of the moment and yield too much of their future. After falling to the bottom of the standings last season and then pointing to injuries, the Heat have to push to make this season in some way meaningful. As it is, there are no assurances that next season would have them in any better position at the All-Star break as where they currently stand.

Q: I think the Heat have forgotten what it was like just a short while ago when we didn't have a center and couldn't get rebounds. It is so convenient now that Hassan Whiteside was ejected to go on and on about his maturity. It was his first indiscretion this season. Plus, how can it be separated from the way he has been playing in the past few games? He is only human. -- Patrick, Hollywood.

A: And no one is saying that the Heat are preparing for any such separation now or during free agency. But there also is more to the Heat equation than rebounds and blocked shots. There is this: Can this player help you win a championship, prove up to the moment when the moments count the most? That is the decision that either has to be made now, when there is a possibility of getting something in return at the trading deadline, or during free agency, when a decision has to be made on how much to offer.

Q: Why are we paying Goran Dragic $85 million and gave up two first-round picks for him if we're not going to truly use him? Allowing Dragic to control the offense could ease the mileage on Dwyane Wade's body and open up the offense more with his off-the-ball cutting. Obviously, there is a need for more shooting, but this offense, as currently constructed, with Dragic standing in the corner when it matters most, becomes easy to defend once defenses tighten up in the playoffs. -- Daniel, Coral Gables.

A: To all of this, yes. You can't trade Dragic without getting back two potential lottery picks, as the Suns now hold from the Heat. And you can't be paying that type of money and accept such a limited return on the investment. At some point, those who matter within the organization have to look back to all the reasons why such a significant commitment was made in the first place, and then activate whatever plan is necessary to maximize Dragic's on-court value to what initially was projected.