Playoffs a personnel referendum for Heat

MIAMI — When Erik Spoelstra addresses the Miami Heat’s possibilities, he often talks about his menu.

In a salary-cap world, the problem is that not everyone gets to eat.

Which is why the impending postseason might be the most significant one in years in terms of the next course to be served by the team’s front office.

No, it’s not quite on the same plane as the 2014 offseason, when despite denials to the contrary, a victory in that year’s NBA Finals almost assuredly would have had LeBron James returning to the team, drastically altering what instead transpired over the past eight seasons.

But the 2022 postseason is as much precursor to the Heat’s next iteration as it is a takeoff to anticipated playoff success.

Two factors in particular will weigh heavy:

— The productivity by Tyler Herro under the brightest lights, likely at a time when he already will have been crowned as winner of the 2022 NBA Sixth Man Award.

— And what next for Victor Oladipo, with the Heat retaining his Bird Rights for what could be a return to the salary stratosphere this offseason, if he can stay on the court on a consistent basis?

It well could prove to be a case of either/or, with Oladipo not only returning to the freeagent market, but with Herro eligible before the start of next season for a rookie-scale extension similar to the five-year, $163 million extension granted to

Bam Adebayo before the 2020-21 season.

Based on a salaries of Jimmy Butler ($37.million next season), Adebayo ($30.4 million) and

Kyle Lowry ($28.3 million), there likely will have to be a limit on the largesse. Yes, a Herro extension would not kick in until 2023-24, but the cash outlay would create