What Kyle Lowry Means for the Direction of the Heat

A look at what the signing of Kyle Lowry means for the Heat and how it shows they’ve learned from past mistakes.

Ladies and gentlemen, they got him. After what seemed like a year of wondering when, not if Kyle Lowry would join the Heat, it’s become official. The most wanted point guard on the Free Agent market will be making his way to South Florida straight from Tampa. The Miami front office’s pressure to make a move after such an unfulfilled season can be slightly lifted now that they’ve got their man. We can all look back at the Trade Deadline, wondering what might have been in the playoffs. We can daydream about how far they could have gone in the playoffs with all that happened to break. But the brain trust of the Heat isn’t looking to daydream anymore — they’re ready for a reality check.

Every front office has to go through rough spots here and there, but for Pat Riley, one misstep is too much. Last offseason was one giant hiccup that Riley will not get over. The moves made in the previous year were with the idea of a future acquisition that may be coming to fruition. Now everyone has learned that holding on for a dream without a clear indication from the opposing party is a futile gesture.

The Heat went after a player in front of them, who gave signs that he would be all aboard the Heat train. Kyle Lowry giving such a straight answer is precisely what the front office wants this year. No more beating around the bush and looking at pipedreams through tinted windows.

The Miami Heat were in between a youth movement and a bundle of old vets prying for a final run last year, not knowing which direction to go. Heat fans hope that this is a sign they know what direction to take. That direction feels led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo; no one else matters. It’s time to stop waiting on the younger guys to be more than what they are. It’s time to surround Jimmy and Bam with solid to great basketball players. There won’t be any more waiting for the perfect fit or trying to inch your way to the ideal roster. Fit can be a part of the algorithm — it just can’t be the entire equation.

The remaining part of the equation still has time after the Lowry signing. This move is only the beginning of what should be a significant facelift for the team. This change hasn’t come without its price, as the Heat had to say goodbye to a beloved Slovenian Dragon. While everyone assumed Miami would operate as an over-the-cap team if it picked up Goran Dragic’s option, it was still possible that he would return. But it looks like the Heat had to change course due to circumstances. There are tons of obstacles but there are none. These are the kind of cutthroat moves that need to happen to maximize the window Miami has in front of them.

We all saw how too much emotional attachment did to them last year — they’re not going down that road. It’s not to say that the FO shouldn’t treat the players like emotionless robots. There always needs to be a human element at the core of everything. Look at how much the friendship between Lowry and Butler has played into this entire situation. But you have to reach a certain point where you need to put emotions aside and do what’s best for your top players and franchise as a whole.

While it may sting in the present, it’ll all be better in the long run. And that’s what the team has come to understand after last year. Everything is different this summer, and it might be difficult to swallow at times — but it’s needed.

The frustration of a lost season after a Finals appearance has run through everyone’s veins. The fans should feel confident that everyone is on the same wavelength now. And even though it may not have been for a whale, a giant marlin is sometimes enough of a catch. I don’t expect the Heat to be done nor satisfied with the Lowry move as their marquee maneuver. There seems to be an indication to make more moves in the future. What those moves are, I have no idea. What I do know is that the team is ready to go all-in on Bam and Jimmy. Everyone else is expendable. It’s time.

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