The Miami Heat’s 2024-25 campaign progressed as another lost season. Jimmy Butler’s eventual messy trade demands led to an inevitable divorce between the franchise and a superstar that led the organization to a pair of NBA Finals and an Eastern Conference finals in a five-year span.
After that midseason deal went down, the Heat were put in a position to pick up the pieces on the fly. And that quick turn around included an up and down end of season. That final stretch featured a 10-game losing streak, to resiliently bouncing back and winning out of the NBA play-in tournament as a 10th seed.
But the sudden success was short lived. As the Heat’s season ended on a first round sweep sour note, crucial questions need to get answered.
The Heat players exit interview’s took place a few days after the season ended. And on Friday afternoon, the legendary Pat Riley had his as well.
In refreshing news to all of Heat Nation, Riley made it abundantly clear that changes are coming— and that he and the front office “probably won’t run it back.”
Additionally, Riley spoke on the Butler departure, Tyler Herro’s contract situation, Bam Adebayo’s leadership and the possibility of bringing in another aging star. Check out the most notable quotes from the presser below!
Pat Riley did not show any inclination for retirement anytime soon.
In another huge bit of confirmation that Heat fans probably wondered going into Riley’s presser, he slammed the door on any potential retirement announcement.
“The new 80 is the new 60. That’s how I look at it,” Riley said. “I feel great. I am competitive as hell.”
The conference as a whole felt like he was tremendously locked in. He provided clarity, didn’t shy away from any difficult questions, and was totally professional as usual.
As mentioned above, Riley was also asked about the possibility of managing another aging star in the very near future. Despite Butler’s availability issues throughout his tenure, the Heat have found success in managing these types of players in the past. And Miami’s president hinted towards bringing in another player that fits that description.
“For us, if that player is the right name and the right contract length, yeah, I still think that an aging player can play (with us).”
“It’s incredible that you know players like [LeBron James] and others that have played into their mid to late 30s, and produced at a high level and helped teams win championships. And you have to pick out the right one. But I’m not against that.”
— Pat Riley on managing an aging star
This is all seems to perfectly align and sound a lot like Kevin Durant.
Ironically, NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Heat’s significant interest in acquiring Durant shortly after Riley’s presser ended. It has been no secret that there’s been clear mutual interest between both parties for years— dating all the way back to 2016.
Before ultimately being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Durant had narrowed his preferred destinations down to Miami and Phoenix. Also, top insider Shams Charania iterated that the Heat would have been one of the only teams the 15-time All-Star was OK with being traded to at this year’s deadline.
The way Riley’s conference finished, the goals for roster change seemingly appears to feature either a Durant acquisition or other tweaks for a new crop of quality rotation players— if a potential move for KD doesn’t pan out.
You can check out Riley’s full end of season press conference below!
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Have to say the obvious. We are at the mercy of the godfather. What im apprehensive is a change in coaching. I love Spo but he aint indispensable.
So much that’s wrong with Riley is right there in the press conference. His vapid self congratulatory explanations about things like alphas only suggest at things but don’t show great cerebral input. He wants the quick and easy way again, I.e. whale hunting, and the Durant idea is ludicrous.
But, it fits his timetable and that’s what he primarily cares about.
I am convinced as I watch people age, as I age myself, that the reason they retire is they become weirder and more inflexible with time and lose adaptive skills. He talks change but all the poor decisions he made in the past will make that hard to implement.
This presser was more about Riley’s inquenchable ego than anything else. Yet, as a fan, I remain hopeful, but quite skeptical of the mostly blather that he expressed. This is what you get with a GM who has no reason for accountability.
I respect all you have to say even if I don’t fully agree. As far as aging people, I may be weirder which is saying something considering my psychedelic 60s, but I don’t think I am either inflexible or lacking adaptive skills. In fact I think both are the keys to survival.
I am trying to be realistic. It’s not about what you, hhh4l, hfl, or I would prefer, but, rather, what I think is more likely to happen. Either way, I will root for my favorite team year in, year out. Once we see the actual moves the team makes, there is no choice but to live with it. Complaining (not you) about it will be an exercise in futility – it will change nothing.
“It’s not about what you, hhh4l, hfl, or I would prefer”
Sunman either right?
Correct, SunMan too.
“Blogger envy” is real. I tried to find a hotline # for you to call, but was only able to come up with this. Try it. Who knows, it might work.
There is no official “Blogger Envy Hotline” or similar service. Blogger envy, a feeling of resentment or jealousy towards other bloggers, is a common experience. To address this, it’s recommended to focus on personal growth and well-being by setting your own goals, practicing self-care, and focusing on what you enjoy about blogging rather than comparing yourself to others.
sunman usually shows directions we can go.we have to decide which option is the best.right now the options are plentiful all that matters is the results next year.im for whale hunting w/o giving up bam or ware.in the nba doesnt seem that is possible.in football it is baseball to.
SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.
I agree RC. Sometimes in life, there are things you can’t change. Nonetheless, you still have choices. For example, I’ve found that it is better (healthier and more productive) to focus on the things I can change rather than dwell on or fantasize about the things I can’t.
I realize that as long as Arison and Riley are close friends, Riley’s job as President of the Miami Heat is secure, regardless how many bad trades or free agent signings he makes or how poorly the team performs. Furthermore, as long as he is President, there are players he considers untouchable (in particular former Kentucky players Bam and Herro). Working within those parameters, I generally try to come up with solutions that are possible, rather than those that will likely never happen.
In all likelihood, Riley is going to shoot for the stars this offseason to try to compensate for the hit his reputation has taken for his poor handling of the Butler situation and the team’s poor performance this past season. The only way for him to do that is to take a big risk by trading away assets and multiple draft picks in an effort to bring in one or more elite players who he thinks will make the Heat relevant again. If it works, Riley will be on top again. If it fails, his reputation and legacy will suffer further. More importantly, Miami Heat fans will suffer the consequences and repercussions for years to come.
P.S,
Personally, I don’t believe Herro is worth a three-year, $149.7 million extension on October 1, 2025 or a four-year, $206.9 million extension during the 2026 offseason. Therefore, if Riley is going to shoot for the stars, I believe he should explore 1) trading for a very good two-way player to swap for Herro or 2) using Herro as part of a bigger trade for an elite player.
I have recently said the same thing about Herro, and I’ve been one of his biggest supporters, though I am aware of his shortcomings. I don’t want to see him get $50+ million a year. I think his current salary is fair for what he gives you. As his value is the highest it’s been, it would be a good time to explore trading him. If the team is going to be saddled with that level salary, it should be for a Fox, Giannis, or similar player. But do I think he’ll be traded? Probably not.
I’m sure you RC, have it totally together. I know there are plenty of exceptions. But, maybe you’re not over 70 yet. Around seventy I started to notice the effects on me and those around me. It seems like Pats 80 year old mind gives him answers that are becoming more “my way or the highway.”
Unfortunately, I am. But living a good life, so no complaints.
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter”
~ Satchel Paige ~
“Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many”
~ Mark Twain ~
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing”
~ George Bernard Shaw ~
Agree on all….
Pat narcissistic Riley
I was disappointed. Those two looses at the end deserved serious analysis, what went wrong, an apology first, and a clear statement after that of how to fix it. All that from man in charge, Riley.
We got some talk about mild depression, and thats it.
I understand, that this is not an easy fix and will take time.
But Heat was just swept and looses games by 50 points.
We need some explanation, not good old times talk.
Things with Riley could get ugly. I Its not out of the question, that Riley will left his job with the kick in his ass pretty soon. This discrepancy with reality is certainly a sign if his age.
Profiles of some of the players I think are interesting who may be available at #20 for the Heat (assuming Riley doesn’t trade the pick away):
https://www.tankathon.com/players/egor-demin
https://www.tankathon.com/players/noa-essengue
https://www.tankathon.com/players/thomas-sorber
https://www.tankathon.com/players/rasheer-fleming
https://www.tankathon.com/players/ben-saraf
https://www.tankathon.com/players/nique-clifford
https://www.tankathon.com/players/walter-clayton-jr
https://www.tankathon.com/players/yaxel-lendeborg
A number of good choices. My feelings are if Fleming is there, I hope they take him. He can play backup center or pf, the former very much needed.
I also like Clifford and Lendeborg. Many upsides/few downsides.
For those of you upset about Riley not stepping down or getting fired, feel free to contact the depression hotline at 1-800- fkr-iley. 😆😆
“I think of an alpha as your best player, your best player, your leader, the one that’s going to hold everybody accountable and all of those things above just being a great player. That comes with experience, and that comes with time.”
~ Pat Riley ~
“It’s incredible that you know players like [LeBron James] and others that have played into their mid to late 30s, and produced at a high level and helped teams win championships. And you have to pick out the right one. But I’m not against that.”
~ Pat Riley ~
Sound’s like he’s already looking for a quick fix (Kevin Durant?) rather than dismantling what doesn’t fit and rebuilding it with what does. I hope he doesn’t jump at the first trade he sees at the expense the team’s future, without a well thought out, planned re-structuring of the team. If he insists on keeping both Bam and Herro, a “quick fix” may not be possible.
I have felt that he could get KD without gutting the team or the future. If he can, I am ok with it.
I am not saying what’s possible and realistic, but I’ve seen a couple of sources suggest Wiggins, Duncan and Rozier for salary matching, Jaquez, and one first round pick. If yes, I’d say okay, though I know many here disagree.
First of all, I dont know why Suns would do it. Secondly, I dont think Heat would be any near of contention with KD. And finally, KD teams are boring… and often bad.
I have to agree with you Vagi. There are several teams with more assets than Miami (young players, draft picks and cash) that would be more attractive to Phoenix…and probably to KD.
Up until now Miami’s Plan A has been to fantasize about hooking a whale or Plan B running it back, which have both been unsuccessful. I would prefer a third option…cutting the roster and payroll down as much as possible this upcoming season by getting rid of players who don’t fit the team’s future plans and seeking players who do fit (via draft, trade or free agency).
Agreed. But that would take a few years and this GM seems to think it’s all about him.
You just saved me a reply.
I wrote my response before reading anyone else’s. It’s nice to see that you guys see thru him too.
I need to make a call.
just dialed it.its not free.had to pass