"It's almost impossible to look at the Miami Heat's situation heading into the 2025-26 NBA season and feel as if Pat Riley has put them in a position to succeed. In fact, considering they find themselves stuck in NBA mediocrity, which could end up being for the foreseeable future, the argument could be made that Riley has put the team in the worst possible position it could be in."
"If the Heat were to give Herro the extension he's likely seeking, the team would be in a bad salary cap situation, locked into a team with a limited ceiling, and no real shot to win an NBA Championship as currently constructed. If the Heat were to pass on giving Herro an extension, they'd be forced to trade Herro for pennies on the dollar, or be in grave danger of losing him for nothing next summer."
"After all, it was Riley who largely should get the blame for "running" Jimmy Butler out of town. It's Riley who made that decision without having a clear plan B ready to go and in place. The Heat's main decision-makers very much operate in more of a collective now, but Riley is largely the face of it all. If he gets the credit when the Heat are successful, he also deserves the blame when it's due."
The Miami Heat enter 2025-26 with an unclear identity, two expensive All-Stars who may not be true top options, and little realistic championship upside. The team projects as, at best, a middling Eastern Conference playoff outfit with limited postseason potential. A looming Tyler Herro extension decision creates a lose-lose scenario: signing him risks cap paralysis and a capped ceiling, while passing leads to an unfavorable trade or losing him for nothing. Pat Riley bears responsibility for key past decisions and currently represents the face of the franchise's direction and consequences.
Read at All U Can Heat
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