Miami Heat fans have no other option but to trust Pat Riley. Unfortunately enough, it could very well lead them to even more heartbreak from a franchise that has done little to earn their patience of late.
As this offseason has unfolded, one thing is clear - the Heat are building toward a potential big move in 2026. But in buying the hope, there's a very real chance it's going to lead the fan base to one last big gut punch from Riley and the rest of the Heat's front office. Missing out on a star acquisition again in 2026 would be a worst-case scenario for the starving fan base.
The Heat's master plan appears quite clear
Whether the fan base believes in it or not, it does appear as if the Heat's front office does have a plan. From all indications, it seems as if they're building toward a big move (via free agency or trade) in 2026.
They've prioritized financial flexibility and have refrained from doing short-term (that would strip the team of assets and future money) upgrades this summer. That tells me they're preparing for what could be a big summer in 2026. Or at least hoping for it.
Will that end up playing out how the front office hopes remains to be seen, but it's pretty clear that's what they're betting on. This may not be the best plan, but it's certainly consistent with what we've come to know for the franchise.
Fleshing this all out, I can't help but wonder if this could be one of Riley's last big moves before the end of his career. At 80 years old, you can't help but wonder when retirement is coming. Even though he's been public about his desire to continue as the lead voice in the Heat's front office, Father Time is undefeated.
And if Riley misses out on making a big move in 2026, especially with how the team has been building toward this, it's going to be difficult for him to recover in the eyes of many fans.
The Heat's pivot has been years in the making
Since the moment the Heat missed out on Damian Lillard, it became quite clear that the Jimmy Butler era in Miami was over. It was at that point that Miami should have traded Jimmy. But what's done is done.
Nevertheless, the Heat, in many ways, have been waiting for another opportunity to strike big for a star player. After refusing to go all-in on Kevin Durant at this past year's NBA Trade Deadline and then once again this offseason, the Heat clearly is holding back for one reason or another.
And it's not because of Kel'el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic. That's not a knock on any of them as players, either. They have a solid young core, but these aren't foundational pieces (at least not yet) by any means.
It's clear as day, the Heat is working toward 2026 and they have their eyes on adding another superstar.
Miami is going all-in on a big move next summer. Heat fans must be prepared for this. And for as exciting as that may sound, we should also remember this team's recent history in whale hunting. It's not great.
Be excited for the opportunities that could emerge in 2026, but we must also remember there's a very real chance we could be delivered one more gut punch from the front office.