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Miami Heat: 3 Goals for president Pat Riley in 2018-19

By Imran Ebrahim

Miami Heat President Pat Riley (Charles Trainor III/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Heat President Pat Riley (Charles Trainor III/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shed That Dough

Let’s see how far you can make it into the next four sentences without breaking your computer/phone screen.

James Johnson, signed until 2021, making >$14 million.

Goran Dragic, signed until 2020, making >$18 million.

Tyler Johnson, signed until 2020, making >$19 million.

Hassan Whiteside, signed until 2020, making >$25 million.

That doesn’t include Dion Waiters’ and Kelly Olynyk’s three remaining years as well.

For the foreseeable future, Miami’s money situation is locked up, to say the least.

Now, if you’re a reasonable person like me, you can understand why Riley did what he did. At the time of the contracts, James was the boogie man in the Eastern Conference, the Golden State Warriors were as formidable as ever (and now even better), and Wade had moved on to the Chicago Bulls.

I personally agree with the idea of waiting out the Warriors.

But typically, it’s done when you have your own draft capital to bank on. Miami couldn’t exactly do that, but having a clean slate when the ‘prime’ of the Warriors and James is over with, could be a handy thing to work with.

In spite of me saying all of that… Riley has to let some of these guys go.

Both Dragic and Whiteside have player options for the 2019-2020 season, but looking at those figures, there’s not a chance in the world they’re opting out.

If ever there was a time to fully embrace the ‘Godfather’ aura Riley is giving out, it’s now. As long as he’s not giving away Josh Richardson or Bam Adebayo (sorry, Justise Winslow, you’re now expendable to me) or first round picks, sell the house.

I think, if by the trade deadline, one of those long-term contracts isn’t gone from the team, it’ll be a disappointment of a season.

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