Lottery likely to affect Heat

If Duke’s Williamson lands in East, balance of power will be scrambled

WASHINGTON — The debate for most of the season with the Miami Heat had been whether the benefits of the lottery outweighed a playoff push.

It was, of course, a debate that largely took place outside the confines of 601 Biscayne Boulevard.

Now, even if the playoff push comes up short — in light of a daunting remaining schedule that includes two games against the Boston Celtics, one against the Toronto Raptors, one against the Philadelphia 76ers and dual playoff-race showdowns against the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets — the Heat are looking at no better than, say, a No. 13 lottery seed.

For all the recently jiggering by the NBA with the lottery format, it largely remains an uncompetitive playing field for a doubledigit seed.

And yet, an argument could be made that the lottery still could have major implications going forward for the Heat, based on how those pingpong balls rise on May 14 in Chicago, with so many Eastern Conference teams hoarding lottery combinations.

As the legend of Zion Williamson has grown leading into the NCAA Tournament, so has the East-altering profile of lottery possibilities.

For example, if the lottery winner isthe...

New York Knicks: This could stand as the ultimate NBA game changer.

With the deal of Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks at the trading deadline, the Knicks created the possibility of two maximum-range free-agent salary-cap slots.

All the while, the losses continue to pile up, effectively assuring New York of one of the equally weighted top four seeds in the lottery.

With the rights to Williamson tucked away, no amount of blather from James Dolan is likely to scare off free agents.

No matter what the Knicks may be lacking now, a Big Three of Williamson, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would practically make the Knicks the Golden State Warriors East.

Cleveland Cavaliers: This, of course, would practically be theater of the absurd, considering that in the wake of LeBron leaving in 2010, Cleveland wound up with the No. 1 pick in 2011 (Irving), 2013 (Anthony Bennett) and 2014 (Andrew Wiggins). The Cavaliers, of course, could instead have had Victor Oladipo or CJ McCollum in ’13. They flipped Wiggins in ’14 for Kevin Love.

Put Williamson alongside Collin Sexton and you have a dynamic combination for years to come, if not exactly on the LeBronKyrie level. Plus, it creates the option of either again trying to maximize Love or flipping him for a third youthful component, sort of a reverse Wiggins-Love deal.

Chicago Bulls: While there remains uncertainly of what to make of the nextgen Bulls Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, it certainly would creating an intriguing youthful Big Three when adding Williamson into the mix.

As with the Cavaliers, the addition of Williamson almost assuredly put the Bulls in the playoff mix, creating yet another competitive challenge for the Heat’s unwavering approach of playoffs-or-bust.

Atlanta Hawks: Hmm, Tre Young and Williamson? There certainly is something youthfully intriguing about the possibility. And then there is the shooting of Kevin Huerter to keep defenses honest.

The draft approach last June was to attempt to emulate (if not recreate) Steph Curry-Klay Thompson with Young and Huerter, with Williamson perhaps representing (at minimum) what Draymond Green was to that first of the Warriors’ recent titles.

Washington Wizards: The odds would be long, but not as long as the Heat’s at the moment. And subbing out Otto Porter’s huge deal for Williamson’s rookie-scale contract would be the ultimate fiscal gymnastics.

If John Wall returns as anything close to John Wall (which might be a big ask at this point), then the Wizards might finally have a chance to become what they thought they could become in recent years.

Westward Ho!: As with all scenarios, the preference of teams is that if they can’t have the lottery prize, then better that he head to the opposite conference.

The Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies certainly have moved to maximize their chances.

But here are two other thoughts that could impact the Eastern equation: 1. If the Los Angeles Lakers land Zion, does it put LeBron in play, perhaps even back to the East? 2. If the New Orleans Pelicans land Zion is Anthony Davis’ trade demand still a demand?