The Miami Heat nearly shook up their roster this season by trading for an All-Star but ultimately decided that a deal for Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday or Bradley Beal wasn’t worth the cost.
Ahead of Wednesday’s season opener (7:30 p.m. against the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center) Heat president Pat Riley detailed the front office’s thinking after an offseason that did not yield a major upgrade.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley said the Heat were reluctant to give up ‘all of our assets’ in a trade this past offseason
“We were very reluctant this summer in giving up all of our assets in any kind of discussions with anybody,” Riley told the Miami Herald. “And we decided that let’s do it. Let’s do it this year with Jimmy [Butler] and then we make some decisions from that standpoint. Jimmy and the crew. He’s been with Tyler [Herro] and Bam [Adebayo] now, going into his fifth year. So that’s where my thinking is and I think that’s where [Erik Spoelstra] is also.”
That the Heat didn’t make a big move is surprising considering that Lillard had specifically requested that the Portland Trail Blazers trade him to Miami. But when talks between the Heat and Blazers broke down over fundamental disagreements on compensation, the Blazers ended up trading Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Heat reportedly made an offer for Holiday, but Portland traded him to the Boston Celtics. They didn’t aggressively pursue Beal because of concerns about his contract and inheriting a no-trade clause, all of which went with Beal to the Phoenix Suns
Without a major upgrade, the Heat enter the season with only three new additions: first-round pick Jaime Jaquez Jr., Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant. The Heat lost Max Strus and Gabe Vincent in free agency.
It’s clear the Heat never intended to strip away their depth or spend every future asset to trade for Lillard or any other All-Star. Riley in June said he wouldn’t take a “wrecking ball” to the roster and he didn’t. So Miami’s success this season will likely hinge on Butler maintaining his All-NBA level of play and Adebayo and Herro taking another leap.
The Heat could explore a trade before February’s deadline, but it seems that Riley and the front office aren’t willing to part with a lot of assets to make a deal.
Riley did offer a hint as to what could be coming next. Five years into Butler’s stint with the Heat, it’s fair to wonder how much longer the championship window can remain open. If the Heat aren’t able to win a championship this season, they could be prepared to ask some tough questions.
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