And lastly, do you think president Pat Riley should retire next summer?
Eyrich: If he feels like he still has it, then it’s “In Riley We Trust” for me. Fans always question what he’s up to, but no matter what it is, he has always been all in for the team. So I can’t really see him being satisfied after a slow offseason this time around.
Ebrahim: Sure, but after he gets me Butler on the team. But in all seriousness, I think he’ll probably keep fighting it out a little longer, just to see the team try and peak one more time. I don’t think he’s the type of person to leave a team when it’s struggling or middle of the pack; he’s the type of person who wants to go out on top. That doesn’t mean that Miami has to win a title, but reeling in a whale of a free agent would be the type of win I think that could allow him to retire. I would like to see Shane Battier step into a role like that, or be on track for that role, especially after he interviewed with the Detroit Pistons this offseason. I’ve always loved his savvy, even before he joined the Heat, and could see the Heat being in good hands if they’re eventually taken over by him.
Rahming: No way. He has to stay until the summer of 2021, since that’s when the contracts of Dragic and James Johnson expire, with Whiteside and Tyler Johnson’s expiring the year prior. I firmly believe that if Riley were to retire before at the absolute worse case summer of 2020, that would be a symbol to Heat Nation that the white flag is being raised and a big rebuild is coming. I’m not ready for that, but it might be the best thing for the team.
Change may be on the horizon…