MIAMI \u2013 Miami Heat President Pat Riley acknowledged the organization must make changes following the team\u2019s first-round playoff exit, saying \u201cthe buck stops with me\u201d as he reflected on the season and looked ahead to what\u2019s next \u2014 with Jimmy Butler no longer part of the roster. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,\u201d Riley said Friday during his end-of-season news conference. \u201cThe buck stops with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley began by addressing Butler\u2019s influence on the franchise, recalling the star\u2019s determination through his Heat tenure, including during the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember Jimmy was exhausted in the bubble trying to help us win a title,\u201d Riley said. He also praised Butler\u2019s efforts in Game 7 against Boston in 2023 and noted how Butler \u201cplayed his a– off in the Finals against Denver\u201d that same season that resulted in a 4-1 gentleman\u2019s sweep. <\/p>\n
Still, Riley defended the decision not to offer Butler a contract extension this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to apologize for not giving him an extension. I believe in players keeping their mouth shut,\u201d he said. \u201cWe wish him well. I hope deep down in his heart that he wishes us well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley said the team completed that sent Butler to the Golden State Warriors \u2014 a deal that Butler reportedly approved.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t just win it with one guy,\u201d Riley said. \u201cWe have medium-aged players in their prime, and our draft picks are in better order, so we have more flexibility for next season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami became the first 10-seed in league history to reach the playoffs through the play-in tournament during the 2024-25 season. However, the Heat were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, suffering back-to-back blowout losses in Games 3 and 4.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose losses were humbling. But we\u2019re not tearing everything down,\u201d Riley said. \u201cI only tried to tank twice \u2026 one of those was in \u201903 to land Dwyane Wade.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley added that while he hasn\u2019t spoken with head coach Erik Spoelstra yet about boosting offensive production \u2014 Miami finished in the bottom third of the NBA in scoring and offensive efficiency \u2014 he knows changes are necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have to make some changes,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t win, you have to go about making changes. We know what we have to do. We were not that team in Games 3 and 4.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the organization weighs its options, Riley emphasized that the Heat are in a better place structurally.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to make deals and try to do something that will benefit your key guys,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re in the best standpoint in terms of having young players with young contracts and young draft picks, and we\u2019re going to try to find something for this team. It doesn\u2019t happen in one year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now 80 years old, Riley said he\u2019s not stepping away any time soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cEighty is the new 60,\u201d he said, adding that Heat owner Micky Arison encouraged him to \u201ccarry on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make some changes philosophically and also maybe even personnel-wise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley had high praise for guard Tyler Herro, who made his first All-Star appearance this season and remains central to Miami\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cTyler is ignitable and pivotal in our offensive scheme. I hope he can stay in Miami the rest of his career,\u201d Riley said. \u201cTyler has to learn how to be a great player like Steph [Curry] is when he receives that kind of treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley said the team will consider offering Herro a maximum contract extension, noting that conversations have already taken place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve talked about it, and I talked about it with Tyler,\u201d Riley said. \u201cThe numbers are getting big for a lot of guys, but Tyler is more like, \u2018Pay me now or pay me later.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley did not specify a timeline for a potential deal but made it clear the organization values Herro\u2019s long-term role in Miami.<\/p>\n
He also said that Spoelstra\u2019s \u201cis in great health\u201d but \u201cneeds a break\u201d after a long grueling season. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe NBA season is a grind,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re in at 3 a.m., and it\u2019s a great life \u2014 but Spo\u2019s gonna be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley also wished Gregg Popovich well after the longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach recently stepped down to become the team\u2019s president of basketball operations.<\/p>\n
The Heat now enter the offseason with questions to answer and moves to consider, but Riley made one thing clear \u2014 he\u2019s not backing down from the challenge.<\/p>\n
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