The 5 worst moves of the Pat Riley era

5. Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger

July 14, 2014: Signed free-agents Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger

With the possibility of free-agent LeBron James departing, Riley made a desperate, last-minute attempt to impress the then-two-time MVP.

Riley invested in two players with regular injury problems. Granger, at his peak, was an all-star and one of the more versatile players in the league. But that peak was far in the rearview mirror by the time Riley got his hands on him. The subsequent 30 total games he returned for the Heat certainly validated those doubts. He has not played in the league since.

McRoberts, meanwhile, has played just 59 games over two seasons due to recurring knee problems. He has been the subject of constant trade speculation. Only glimpses of his potential have been on display when healthy. However, the bottom line is this. Riley invested four years and $23 million in the former Duke product. This is certainly not the result he was looking for when trying to improve team.

It would take just 30 games on South Beach for Granger to be traded in a package of goods that returned Goran Dragic.

McRoberts can’t be given away.

Further, the fact that James went back to Cleveland anyway threw salt in the wounds of these acquisitions.

Next: The Brent Barry trade