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Heat president Pat Riley has identified one need that would be filled by LeBron James if he joins the Heat (“another real playmaker”) and two other needs that realistically would not be filled by James even if he picks the Heat (a three-point “marksman” and either a “contemporary big - very athletic and a rim protector” or a big man with range).
But the Heat, like all of the teams pursuing James, is essentially in a holding pattern on filling those needs.
On the search for another wing player, Demar DeRozan likely would make sense only if James doesn’t pick the Heat.
And though at least some Heat interest in DeRozan would be expected if James bypasses the Heat, Miami as of Monday had made no assurances to DeRozan and hasn’t told him if he will be pursued if James doesn’t join Miami, according to a source.
Among other shooters available, the Heat continues to hope that the Mavericks buy out Klay Thompson, who’s due $17.1 million this season. But Dallas reportedly remains more inclined to try to trade him.
Asked by a fan at a Fanatics event if he’s going to go back to the Warriors, Thompson said: “Shoot, I don’t know. I got one year on my deal. It’d be nice to end it in Golden State.”
The Heat would have interest in Thompson whether James picks Miami or not, a source said.
Among other wing players who remain possibilities: free agent guard Bradley Beal, Memphis forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (expected to have buyout discussions with the Grizzlies) and guard Buddy Hield, who is on Atlanta’s books for $9 million next season but does not appear to be in the Hawks’ plans, according to The Athletic.
A veteran NBA scout said Monday: “I would go Thompson” from that group, excluding DeRozan from the conversation because the discussion was about three-point shooters. “All those guys have flaws, age, injury. I wouldn’t do Hield; he’s close to done. You can’t discount the health issues with Beal.”
If James picks the Heat, there has been talk that Kevin Love could return to Miami. That certainly cannot be ruled out, but isn’t something Miami has pursued to this point.
The group of remaining free agent centers is very limited. It also includes 6-11 Nick Richards, 6-8 Bismack Biyombo, 6-10 Tony Bradley, 6-10 Drew Eubanks and 7-0 Kelly Olynyk, a stretch big and former Heat player who averaged 8.6 minutes in 42 games for the Spurs.
“Love would make sense because of the connection with LeBron and the Heat; he can still pass, rebound and make an open shot,” the scout said. “I wouldn’t do Eubanks. I’m higher on Nick Richards than others. You don’t want him as your backup five but a pretty good No. 3 center.”
The Heat has 12 players under standard contracts; James would be the 13th if he joins the Heat. Miami is expected to begin the season with only 14 players because it must keep its payroll below a $209 million hard cap.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the network’s Lakers writer, said James’ agent, Rich Paul, told him Tuesday afternoon that there will be no James news on Tuesday and that James doesn’t know which team he will pick.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said that Paul told him that money has nothing to do with the decision and all suitors will pay him the same amount. Perkins mentioned that people need to remember that James’ wife has input in the decision and they have sons who play for the Lakers (Bronny) and University of Arizona (Bryce) and that being able to see them play can’t be discounted as a consideration.
Riley on retirement
After acquiring two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, Heat president Pat Riley is not thinking about retirement. Even at 81 years old.
“To me, I understand that. ‘Get the old man out of there,’” Riley said of the outside criticism he has received in recent years as part of a pretaped interview with Dan Le Batard for “The Dan Le Batard Show,” which aired Monday. “It doesn’t make me want to go back and dye my hair and get the bags out from under my eyes.
“Age is beautiful if you show some grace in growing older. At the same time, having people like Micky [Arison] and Nick [Arison] and Madeleine [Arison] who say, ‘Just keep doing what it is you love doing.’ That’s why I’m happy for the franchise to bring Giannis.”
Since Riley joined the organization in 1995, the Heat has made 24 postseason appearances while making seven trips to the NBA Finals and winning its only three NBA championships. He’s preparing for his 32nd season with the organization.
While Riley isn’t considering retirement right now, he admits he does “think about mortality.” In fact, he’ll soon go to Europe with his wife, Chris Riley, for an elective procedure intended to promote longevity.
“Where Chris and I are going, we’re going over to Europe to get our blood scrubbed, get all these toxins out of our blood,” Riley said to Le Batard. “We’re into longevity and health, as much as we can be. … I don’t think about [retirement]. I just think about the next day and what we’re going to do. And one day it will happen. One day I’ll step aside.”
Riley on Giannis
How many current NBA players does Riley believe are more impactful than Antetokounmpo?
“Not many,” Riley said during his interview with Le Batard. “I place Giannis in the top five in the NBA.”
But injuries have been an issue for Antetokounmpo recently, as he played a career-low 36 games last season with the Milwaukee Bucks due in large part to multiple calf strains. He then sustained a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise on March 15 that cut his season short.
When healthy, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo is still considered one of the NBA’s top players. Not only was he named the league’s MVP for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, but he finished in the top four in MVP voting in seven straight seasons before injuries limited him this past season.
Considering the young talent and draft capital that the Heat gave up to land Antetokounmpo, an injury to Antetokounmpo would completely derail Miami’s plans in the coming seasons. But Riley isn’t thinking about that nightmare scenario.
“I don’t think about that,” Riley said. “I’m not thinking about anybody getting hurt. You got to have a positive mindset right now that you see this future in front of us with Giannis and Bobby Portis and Bam [Adebayo]. Niko [Jovic] is a really good young player and I think he’s going to have his chance to breakthrough in a different way. You still got [Andrew Wiggins], [Simone] Fontecchio, you got [Pelle] Larsson, [Davion] Mitchell. We got a good group. We signed Tim Hardaway Jr.”
▪ Antetokounmpo explained to CBS 4’s Mike Cugno why he calls Riley “Mr. Pat”:
“He told me ‘just call me Pat.’ Nah, he’s a legend. You got to show people like that respect. I went to his office. It’s a different feeling. Kind of intimidating… He’s a good guy to have in your corner and I’m excited to play for him.”
