Q: Has there been any suggestion from anyone connected to the Heat that either or both James Johnson or Dion Waiters are simply not all the way back from their injuries? If so, is there any thinking that they may be by next season? At this point, they clearly don't yet have the athleticism they showed, which led to their long term contracts. -- Andrew, Coral Gables.

A: Erik Spoelstra has continually stressed the challenges of returning from extended injury layoffs, an example he has used with both Dion Waiters and James Johnson. Conditioning also is a factor, and it does not appear as if either is back, or even close to, peak form. The other concern with Johnson is the added difficultly to push back as an older player, with James having turned 32 last month. But, again, the Heat knew about Dion's injuries (yes, injuries, plural) and, of course, James' age when they offered those four-year contracts. From the start, the concern more was about the years than the money. Had they been two- or three-year deals, the Heat would be at a point where there would be flexibility at this stage. Instead, it remains a waiting game, with no immediate signs of turnarounds.

Q: You say Dion Waiters isn’t the same player from a couple of seasons ago, but my question to you is why do you think that is? When this team finished 30-11 in 2016-17, the offense ran through Dion, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. Now however, the offense is not only being run through Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson, and Bam Adebayo (three guys who have been up and down from the moment they were drafted) but Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic both come off the bench, and Dion doesn’t have the ball in his hands like he should. Sometimes the blame gets placed on the wrong people, and as a fan it drives me nuts watching people give Erik Spoelstra a pass, and hold guys like Dion accountable for things far beyond his control. -- Darryl, Fitzgerald. Ga.

A: But here's the thing: By signing Dion to that four-year deal, and with the contracts of Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside expiring in advance of that timetable, it meant having to try to make it work with the younger players you mention. That has been what Erik Spoelstra has tried to do, starting Dion with Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo. It's not about holding Dion accountable, it's about seeing if he can be an effective part of the team's next rendition, with a roster clearly in transition.

Q: Does it make sense to push for the playoffs at this point? The gap between this Heat team and the team they'd most likely be facing (the Bucks) is so blatant that it'd barely be a contest. Dwyane Wade for four more games would be great, but is it the best thing for the team? -- J.H., Miami.

A: As opposed to what? After Friday's game, the Heat stood with a record that, at the moment, would be no better than the No. 14 lottery seed. So you basically are talking about an almost-nil chance of moving up in the lottery order. At this point, there really is no other option but to win.

iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman

For daily Heat mailbag go to sun-sentinel.com/askira