Pat Riley reveals thoughts on Miami Heat and thinking on Jimmy Butler's future

Pat Riley this week sat down with beat reporters and expressed confidence in Jimmy Butler and this Miami Heat core to compete in the Eastern Conference in what he described as a “crucial year” for the team.

The Heat are going into their sixth season with Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro together. Although many of the role players have changed, that trio went to two Finals in four seasons before last season’s first-round exit.

Riley, however, didn’t believe a disappointing end to last season was cause to make a major move. Instead, he’s banking on continuity and experience to propel the Heat this season.

Pat Riley opened up about the importance of this Miami Heat season and Jimmy Butler's contract situation.

“Everything changes, I think, for the better with continuity and the fact that we believe in this roster,” Riley said. “Does it mean that if we don’t win this year or if we don’t go deep this year, there are going to be massive changes? No, it doesn’t mean that. But they should know that this should be a crucial year for them. They want to win.”

Riley acknowledged that rivals in the East have gotten better, saying what the reigning champion Boston Celtics have done “is incredible” and that the New York Knicks are “going for it.” He also said that the Philadelphia 76ers, despite adding Paul George this summer, are “a little bit like us, they need to be healthy all year long.”

“But I believe in this team, I truly believe in these guys,” Riley said. “Bam, Jimmy and Tyler, to some extent maybe Terry [Rozier] have to be better. It’s always about can you produce more, can you be more, can you be together more. I’ve seen the improvement. ... So I think we have a core of really, really great players who need to find another level of greatness. This is their time. So take the challenge.”

Riley made availability the main theme of his end-of-season press conference and seems to have doubled down on that here. Most of his comment in May were directed at Butler, who missed 22 games and saw his numbers decline across the board.

Butler has until June 30 to sign a two-year, $113 million, but Riley made it clear he needs to see Butler be more engaged and available this season before entertaining such a longterm commitment. That, of course, has raised questions about Butler’s future in Miami.

Butler has communicated that he plans to play out this season without seeking an extension, then broach the topic next summer, when can opt out of his current deal and seek a new, lucrative deal.

When Riley was asked if he fears a scenario in which the Heat lose Butler for nothing, he said “I wouldn’t want to.”

“He’s going to have the ability to opt and we’re going to have the ability to extend,” Riley said. “So I’m trying to get all that thinking out of our heads because it’s living in the present moment and playing basketball. So if there’s something that’s going to drag me down or him down because of that, then we’re not going to perform at a certain level. But I think he’s embraced exactly where he’s at, I think he understands where we’re at.”

Butler played in all four Heat preseason games, including a back-to-back set on Tuesday and Wednesday, before he and many other Heat veterans were given off Friday’s preseason finale. 

Butler, 35, tallied 24 points on 8 of 11 shooting overall (2 of 2 on 3s), five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 21 minutes during Wednesday night’s win over the Atlanta Hawks.

“What I saw last night and what I hope to see in the future this year is somebody that has a chance to lead us to that place where we can play for it,” Riley said. “That’s all you want.”