Following the first losing season in half a decade, Pat Riley admitted that the Miami Heat need to make changes this summer.
“I think we do have to make changes,” Riley told reporters during his end-of-season press conference Friday. “There’s no doubt, there has to be some change. If you don’t win, you have to go about making changes to make sure you can win. We’re gonna work really hard to find something to help this team.”
“We probably won’t run it back,” he added.
Changes are coming to Miami.
Riley didn’t shy away from the fact that the season did not go as planned. It was derailed by the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler’s mid-season trade demand that resulted in trading away the team’s star player and a debilitating 10-game losing streak.
The Heat finished the season with a 37-45 record but won two road play-in games to advance to the playoffs, where they were easily dispatched by the top-seed Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Those two losses were humbling,” Riley said. “In 30 years, we’ve always found a way to [retool and contend]. We have a great front office, make decisions together. I’m going to live on my track record.”
Based on Riley’s history, a complete rebuild isn’t coming.
His comments were in line with Bam Adebayo’s remarks in his final press conference (“There’s going to be a lot of changes, understanding how the guy with the silver hair works.”) and he gave his full-throated support of Tyler Herro as a long-term fixture in Miami.
“I hope he can stay here the rest of his career,” Riley said.
So what does Riley mean by changes?
Adding.
Adding a star player, but also reinforcements.
“There are some lateral trades that can be made to improve the team. Do we inject an alpha? A great, great player to help maximize our performance in those double-digit leads that were lost? It could be that simple.
“We are going to look for something that will really help this team.”
When asked if he preferred a player in his mid-20s who fits with Adebayo and Herro’s timeline or if he’d be open to acquiring an older star, Riley didn’t rule anything out.
“I still think an aging player can play,” he said. “I’m not against that.”
Kevin Durant wasn’t mentioned by name, but the Heat are expected to inquire about Durant again this offseason after brief conversations with the Suns before the trade deadline.
Other stars who could potentially become available include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson, and others, but Durant is expected to be traded this summer.
Beyond adding players, there are other roster concerns. Riley suggested that the Heat could look to stay under the luxury tax next year in order to avoid the punitive repeater tax.
The Heat are $9 million away from the first apron with 13 players under contract. Any changes that are made will have to keep that apron in mind.
During his support of Herro, Riley also said that extension talks are more likely to take place next summer. He said he’s already spoken with Herro and his agency and everyone is on board with the plan.
From Oct. 1-20, Herro is eligible to sign a three-year, $149.7 million extension. Those years would be added to the two years ($31 million and $33 million) that Herro already has left on his contract.
If both sides wait until the summer of 2026, Herro would then be eligible to sign a four-year, $206.9 million extension. He’d become eligible to sign a five-year, $380 million supermax extension if he’s named All-NBA next season.
There are questions about how far a team can go with Adebayo and Herro being paid as max players, but the Heat appear ready to build around them as tentpole stars. Riley didn’t have much interest in revisiting the Butler situation, but did reflect back on his history to paint a picture of what could come next.
“I’m going to live on my track record,” Riley said. “We’ve done this before.”