Miami Heat: Is Pat Riley in a pickle… or a perfect scenario for a guy like him?

The Miami Heat are in a very unique situation. With an eye towards next offseason specifically, they find themselves one piece away right now.

The Miami Heat are in the proverbial driver’s seat. How so, might you ask?

Well, while they weren’t planning on competing for a title last season and in as soon as Jimmy Butler’s first year with the franchise, but that’s just what they did. They were ahead of schedule as they like to say in sports.

Here’s the kicker though. The long play was always focused on next offseason’s free agency class.

That’s where things really start to become interesting. Is that for better or for worse though?

This is the decision of it all. Is Pat Riley in a pickle, being that he always wanted to wait for a swing at Giannis Antetokounmpo, but finds himself so close right now?

That decision is something that serves to ask this question. Could he be tempted to make a move now that might impact potential flexibility and signing ability later?

The Miami Heat have a mastermind making the decisions. Is he in a tougher spot now though that they are as good as they are?

That is how it could be a pickle. But then you have the other side of thing.

As oppose to this scenario presenting less flexibility for continuing to achieve his ultimate goals and signings moving forwards, does it actually present more flexibility? Does the success that his team has already achieved not only widen his net for options, but also act as a potential magnet for other talents, or simply negates his thoughts of perhaps needing as much as he thought they did?

They are all good questions and ones worth asking. Here’s what I think.

I think being ahead of schedule this season puts him in the perfect situation. Not only will he maintain flexibility for next offseason, but he can make small to medium tinkers for this season, still be improved, and all while still making a run at the title.

What this also does passively is displays to any potential signings or desired signings in the future, such as The Greek Freak, what he could be signing up for. Basically, “if we are this good without you, imagine what we could be with you”.

Again, as I will nail this comment home until the cows come, we all remember what Pat Riley said to Jimmy Butler after they defeated the Bucks in the playoffs, right? He told Jimmy that he was “making” him “dream”.

That could have only been a Giannis sentiment. So, to be clear, this actually puts the mastermind in a perfect position and not a pickle at all.

He is in total control, while he already has one of the best teams in the league to work with. DANCE PUPPETS…..DANCE!