When Heat owner Mickey Arison announced at the start of the season that Heat president Pat Riley would get the court named after him, there were questions.
It was a well-deserved honor, but it made Heat fans wonder if Riley, who has been with Miami for over 30 years, would finally hang it up as president of basketball operations.
After Riley’s feud with former Heat star Jimmy Butler this season, many league observers have openly wondered if Riley can adjust to the current times, in which stars hold most of the power, not executives.
The question is, should Miami move in a different direction within the front office to adjust to the modern times of the NBA? This is no shot at Riley; he is one of the best executives in the league's history, but sometimes even the greatest minds in basketball must recognize when the game has evolved beyond their philosophies.
Riley built a dynasty in Miami with his hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach, but in today’s NBA, where player empowerment reigns supreme, his rigid style may be clashing with the league’s new reality.
Given their stability and success, the Miami Heat job will be a coveted one (whenever it opens up). So here are my top three replacements for Pat Riley when he retires.
3. Andy Elisburg
If Micky Arison wants continuity, Andy Elisburg is the clear choice. Elisburg has been a part of the Heat organization since day one and was promoted to general manager in 2013. He has been Pat Riley’s right-hand man and heavily influences salary-cap management and roster construction. Ellisburg played a crucial role in moves such as drafting Dwayne Wade, trading for Shaquille O’Neal, forming the Big Three and signing Jimmy Butler.
All the success the Heat have had over the last two decades gives you reason to promote Elisburg. Miami has only missed the playoffs four times since drafting Dwayne Wade and has been one of the premier organizations in the NBA.
Looking at it long-term rather than short-term, Riley and Elisburg have always found a way to keep the Heat relevant as a championship contender, having the second-most Finals appearances in the 21st century, behind only the Lakers.
If Elisburg maintains the Heat's core philosophy and keeps continuity in the front office, elevating him to the top decision-making role would be a seamless transition.
2. Erik Spoelstra
If you can’t beat them, copy them? After President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge announced he was leaving the Celtics' front office in June 2021, Boston did not hesitate to promote then-head coach Brad Stevens to take over the position.
The NBA has changed from front-office dominance to player empowerment, and individuals who have been a part of the NBA for as long as Ainge and Riley haven’t adjusted to the times. Promoting Stevens to president of basketball operations allowed the Celtics to get the first title since 2008.
Stevens made notable moves, including trading for Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. All of those moves required giving up beloved teammates and draft picks. The kinds of moves Riley didn't make during the Butler era.
Although Stevens is not the coach Spoelstra was in the NBA, putting in someone younger with experience directly interacting with players daily turned out pretty good for Boston. If you’re Miami, why not do the same? Miami already has a replacement coach, Chris Quinn.
Quinn, the current associate head coach, has always been the fill-in on the rare occasion Spoelstra misses a game. He has also interviewed for multiple head coaching positions in the last few offseasons. Being with the Heat for a combined 16 years as a player and coach, Quinn understands Heat Culture and the X's and O's to win in Miami. Spoelstra himself has noted Quinn would be a great head coach in the NBA.
1. Bob Myers
Bob Myers is the clear No. 1 choice. Myers, the former GM and president of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors, left the organization in 2023 because he felt he could no longer commit to the grind of the job. Myers currently works at ESPN and is featured as an analyst on NBA Countdown and game broadcasts.
In his time with the Warriors, Myers hired future hall of fame coach Steve Kerr and signed Klay Thompson to a contract extension after declining to trade him in the 2014 offseason, which led to the Warriors winning the 2015 championship.
He also signed Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason, leading to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. After Durant left, Myers traded D'Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins, guiding the Warriors to their fourth title in eight years.
Myers found ways to win before Kevin Durant, with Durant, and after Durant, he is a proven winner and knows how to shape a championship-level roster.
Myers would only return to the industry if the right opportunity came along. Being in charge of one of the most prestigious franchises in the NBA might intrigue the former two-time executive of the year.
If Micky Arison is looking for an outsider who understands the organization's culture and can carry on Riley's legacy, Bob Myers is the best option.