Miami Heat Column: The Heat need cold-blooded Pat Riley back

The Miami Heat used to be a threat.

The Miami Heat used to be lurking.

Pat Riley used to pounce.

Right now, that isn’t the case. The Miami Heat are not lurking. In no sense, are the Miami Heat a threat. And Pat Riley is not in position to swoop in on his prey.

That much has become clear over the last four months as the NBA has seen three stars either get traded or hit the market: Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia, Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas, and an Anthony Davis trade imminent. Despite being close to a Butler deal before it fell through, the Heat have not and will not land any of them.

Oh, you’ll hear the Heat mentioned in reports. They are always pursuing Star X and Star Y. That is, quite literally, the least they can do.

Simply put, Riley has struck out over and over again, and has crafted a paper-tiger roster while depleting his assets. He was mistaken to undervalue draft picks–not only because Miami has hit on most of them since 2014, but also because they are the things other teams value in trades– and overvalue his own players like Tyler Johnson, James Johnson and Dion Waiters.

Riley used to be chillingly calculated, but that mantle has been stolen by his rival and Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge. Trading a fan favorite like Isaiah Thomas for a clear upgrade at the same position is right out of the Pat Riley handbook. Instead, this organization has clinged to nostalgia and feel-good stories about culture.

Where is the guts?

With the trade deadline just days away, it’s time for this front office to make tough decisions.

Sorry Wayne Ellington, we know you bought a home in Miami, we know you love it here, but we need to recoup some second round picks. Sorry Rodney McGruder, we love the work you put in, but we helped make you, too. Good luck elsewhere, we need the compensation. Sorry Goran Dragic, we love you in the locker room, but you’re on the other side of 30 and we need to sell high. Everyone else, be on your toes, and don’t buy any more property.

The Heat are projected to win 37 games, seven fewer than last season’s uninspiring 44-win team. There is no higher level for them. This team will not just get better. It has run its course. As I wrote last week, it’s time to reroute.

If the new plan is to build around Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, well, the Heat are going to need assets and cap space to do that. Everyone else is expendable. If the plan is to sign super stars in free agency, then do what the Knicks did (I can’t believe I’m saying that) and use your bluechip young players as sweetener to clear the decks.

Let’s face it, most general managers would be on the hot seat if they had constructed this roster. That’s what’s happening in Portland, who also tripped over themselves in the 2016. Charlotte already made changes. Riley has a job for life, and deservedly so. This isn’t a #FireRiles column. It’s just a point. Riley is allowed the patience, but he owes it to the organization and the fans to fix it sooner rather than later.

When the next star becomes available, Riley needs to do more than pursue. He needs to prey, and the work starts now to get in position to pounce.