Pat Riley's legacy with Miami Heat fans would never recover if he gets bested by Joe Cronin once again, this time in pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to a recent report, the Heat and Portland Trail Blazers are two teams that seem to be the most aggressive in pursuit of Giannis at the moment. A lot can change between now and when the Giannis saga is settled, but if Cronin ends up getting the best of Riley in the Damian Lillard saga and then lands Giannis, it's going to be difficult for Heat fans to process.
At that point, it would leave the biggest black mark on Riley's late-stage career with the Heat.
Could the Blazers swoop in to steal Giannis?
But, again, at this point, it's difficult to predict just how serious a threat the Blazers are at swiping Giannis from the Heat's fingertips. At the end of the day, there's no questioning that the Blazers are interested. Who wouldn't?
This is not about questioning Marc Stein's report. Instead, the bigger question revolves around Portland would be considered one of the teams Giannis would welcome a trade to? After all, that's really all that matters here.
If Giannis makes it clear that he doesn't play on signing an extension with the Blazers, it'd be difficult to envision them making an all-in offer. We just don't know that yet.
But, if we take past information as gospel, then maybe the Blazers are being used here as a leverage play. Because just a few months ago, it was reported that Giannis had "zero interest" in going to Portland.
At that point, you have to start asking questions. Has something changed? Is Giannis intrigued by the idea now? Or, perhaps the most likely of options, are the Bucks trying to create some leverage for themselves in trade discussions by bringing in Portland?
Honestly, it's tough to tell, but make no mistake; there's a lot at stake for Riley and the Heat.
Pat Riley is looking for one more big splash
Looking to land one more big fish before the end of his career, Riley has been on the hunt for some time now. Over the past few years, he's missed out on Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, and Damian Lillard, just to name a few.
With Giannis' situation with the Bucks deteriorating over the last 6-8 months, Riley's focus quickly shifted to the superstar forward. Seemingly with a better than average shot to get a deal done, now is the time to close.
But, especially if this recent report proves true, Riley may have to get through one more old foe. Cronin.
Heat fans will remember Cronin for refusing to act in good faith with the Heat during the entire Lillard situation. Lillard wanted to be traded to the Heat, but Cronin wasn't having it. Instead of placating the superstar guard, Cronin and the Blazers traded him elsewhere. Interestingly enough, to all places, Milwaukee.
Now, he's trying to punk the Heat once again. And if he's successful, Riley will take the brunt of the blame.
Efforting to put one final exclamation point on his career with the Heat, Riley is laser-focused on Giannis. If that pursuit ends in disappointment, though, it could become just another blemish on his resume. Interestingly enough, Cronin, of all foes, could play another pivotal role in keeping a superstar out of Miami.
But this time around, it's hard to envision how Riley would recover.
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