3. What is your #2017Goal for the Miami Heat?
Smith: In the words of Pat Riley, land ‘a whale’. As impressive as Hassan Whiteside has been, he’s not on the level that Riley has been accustomed to targeting. His main target for this season, Kevin Durant, was unsuccessful.
A bold prediction – Riley will be going all out for Stephen Curry this offseason. Curry has gone from winning back-to-back MVP’s, to not even being the best player on his own team. Bill Simmons raised some very valid points at the 1:11:15 mark of his recent podcast re: Curry’s body language.
Further, listen to Brian Windhorst detail on a recent ESPN TrueHoop podcast at the 6:30 mark detailing Curry’s Christmas Day performance. Despite some recent failed pursuits, never underestimate Riley!
Urbina: I’m with Simon on this. I’d love nothing more than for Pat Riley to silence his critics by going out and signing a big free agent. Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, it doesn’t matter. Any of them. It would show the rest of the league that Miami is still a preferred destination for star players looking for a change of scenery. Plus, that, coupled with the addition of a high draft pick, could signal the Heat’s rapid return to NBA prominence.
Mora: I would love to see a famous Pat Riley trade before the deadline. We know with this roster, we aren’t going to make the playoffs, so hopefully Riley starts the rebuilding process earlier than the offseason and starts making some trades. Keep their young core intact and pray for a good trade and better offseason acquisitions in the draft.
Tachauer: This is threefold for me. First, I would like us to NOT TRADE GORAN DRAGIC. I know at this point I sound like a broken record, but I really feel as though it would be a huge mistake. Injuries aside, he is playing out of his mind so far this season, and finally has a young, eager unit ready to run the floor with him in command.
However, I would love Pat Riley to pull off some sort of monster trade at the deadline. Not necessarily in terms of scoring a big name (or two), but just bringing aboard help that will turn things enough to actually make the postseason. And third, I’m ready for Riley to reel in that whale he was trying to catch in Kevin Durant. As long as it’s not Blake Griffin, shudder. (It should also go without saying that the most important goal is NOT TO TANK.)
Keaton: Move Goran Dragic, POSSIBLY move Whiteside and get Riley to step away. Very much wishful thinking. But seriously, I want to feel like the progress is being made and not this feeling of stagnation. Landing a big fish would be nice, but I think depth is more important.