1 Trade, 1 signing that could make the Heat contenders next year

Pat Riley promised changes are coming to the Miami Heat, but he also suggested that a complete teardown is not in the cards.

“Those things you’re doing to try to win, if they aren’t working, must change,” Riley said to kick off his end-of-season media session last week. “So that doesn’t mean that change is a sinister word here. … So we have to change some things. But we surely aren’t going to rip anything apart here.”

Those around the Heat don’t expect a rebuild. Even if Jimmy Butler is traded this summer, the idea is to do so for assets that could help the Heat acquire another star. 

Riley spoke about changes to the team’s approach to player availability, but it wouldn’t be surprising if changes came to the roster after two straight seasons of being in the play-in tournament.

To get back to contender status, the Heat need a primary scorer who can bear the brunt of that responsibility in the regular season, wing depth and some size. If they play those cards right, the Heat may also be able to sign a free agent using the $5.1 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Here’s a trade and a free-agent signing that could help the Heat reopen their championship window.