Analyst Gets Real on Heat’s Front Office Struggles

In hindsight, the Miami Heat‘s run to the 2023 NBA Finals may have been the worst thing that could have happened to the franchise. Not because they fell short against the Denver Nuggets, but because it gave Pat Riley a false sense that the franchise was close to being a championship-level roster.

In truth, it was Jimmy Butler‘s breathtaking performances that willed the team within three wins of a Larry O’Brien trophy. Unfortunately, that championship run saw Riley take a lackadaisical approach to roster building over the next two years. And now, the Heat look a million miles away from getting back to the NBA Finals in the near future.

In a recent article for CBS Sports, Sam Quinn shared his thoughts on the Heat’s front office and how they’re getting left behind as the NBA enters a new era.

“The overall vision here feels outdated,” Quinn wrote. “The Heat appear far too comfortable being mediocre. They would likely prefer the term “patient.” In the late 2000s, they were comfortable punting away two seasons to create the cap space to sign LeBron James. Between the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, they went two games above .500, seemingly in a holding pattern until the next star forced his way to Miami. Butler fell into their lap. Now, they seem to be acting somewhat similarly.”

Riley has played it safe again this summer. Norman Powell is the only major addition to the roster. Unfortunately for the Heat, he won’t be enough to get Miami back toward the top of the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat Should Take a Gap Year

One way for Riley to quickly change the narrative surrounding the Heat, and his recent performance in the front office, would be to embrace a gap year. Keith Smith of Spotrac recently explained the value of Miami taking a strategic approach to the upcoming season.

“They could reasonably hit the summer of 2026 with $30 or $40 million in cap space, with the potential for even more,” Smith explained. “Obviously, if the Heat swing a star trade this offseason, that changes everything. Either way, they’re set up with pretty good flexibility no matter which direction they go.”

Smith continued.

“That means this might be another down year. Given Miami owns its own first-round pick free and clear in the 2026 draft, it might not be a bad time to have a gap year. Then, the Heat can get back to work with cap space and a good pick in the summer of 2026.”

In order for the gap year approach to work, Riley would need to accept that Miami will struggle for a season. In truth, though, they’re going to struggle anyway, especially after Riley struck out on Kevin Durant at the start of free agency.

Heat Likely Done Making Trades

In a recent episode of the “Zaslow Show 2.0” NBA cap expert Bobby Marks explained why he doesn’t expect Miami to make trade before the new season begins.

“I mean, listen, we’re going to see probably within the next couple of days, Beal become available in free agency,” Marks said. “I think the Norman Powell move eliminates that, as far as what they need. They’re a little bit below the first apron, so they can go out and sign a minimum guy if they want to do that. But I’m not anticipating another big move.”

Perhaps the current situation Miami finds itself in is a blessing in disguise. Because, at this point, a gap year feels inevitable, the only difference is that it’s not by design.