Jeff Teague Adamantly Says Pat Riley Needs To Retire After Disgraceful Performance

“They should retire Pat Riley right there,” Teague explained. “It’s time to go, Pat. I feel them, though. This is my theory. You know y’all not about to win, so why the (expletive) we got to travel back to Cleveland? Yeah, let’s just look like we can’t compete. Like, let’s not make it close. I mean, we were trying the first three games. We lost. But the last game, let that (expletive) cook bro. I legit would have walked into the locker room and said, ‘(expletive), I know y’all are not trying to fly back to Cleveland for one more night.’ If we’re playing good that first quarter, let’s go to work. We're hoopers now. We like to play. But if they start beating our (expletive), take me out.”

The most significant offseason move the Heat made last year was signing Alec Burks. All things considered, he was solid throughout the year. But it was clearly not enough, even if the Heat had kept Jimmy Butler. With more clarity regarding Butler's future absence, the Heat will need to make several moves to compensate for his departure.

NBA ANALYST BREAKS DOWN MIAMI HEAT OFFSEASON ASSETS

Regardless of whether choosing not to pay Jimmy Butler his maximum contract extension was the right decision or not, the Miami Heat have the flexibility to make moves in the offseason.

Following their 138-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat now exit the postseason early for the second consecutive season. Bobby Marks explained the potential options available to them with their assets for the offseason.

“Your core three are those guys: Herro, Adebayo, and Ware,” Marks explained. “Now, how do you add around that? You've got financial flexibility. I know Heat fans don’t want to hear that. You’ve got three tradable firsts in the future, including the Golden State pick. You’ve got $60 million in expired contracts: Kyle Anderson, Haywood Highsmith, Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, and Duncan Robinson. You have, as I said, the flexibility. You’re hanging around $11 million below the first apron and $23 million below the second. You have the decision with Duncan Robinson’s $19 million contract. It becomes fully guaranteed on July 8th. $9 million in change that’s guaranteed. You can gain $10 million in flexibility if you waive him.”

Without Butler, the Heat have significantly more freedom to shape their future core. However, the Heat’s current assets do not enable them to pursue a star player via trade realistically. To acquire a star, it would need to be similar to the Damian Lillard situation in 2023 or a free agency move. A star player will need to request the Heat as their primary trade destination specifically. 

ESPN ANALYST CLAIMS MIAMI HEAT BLOWOUTS AS WORST MOMENT IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

After winning three NBA championships and appearing in seven Finals, the Miami Heat experienced two consecutive underwhelming seasons.

Despite the Heat suffering a 10-game losing streak during the regular season, Bobby Marks explains why back-to-back blowouts at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers were arguably more embarrassing to one of the most successful franchises in the league.

“I would say probably the biggest embarrassment, blemish of this proud franchise and organization,” Marks said. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I would say it’s probably one of the biggest embarrassments. There have been bad Heat teams when they came in as a franchise as an expansion team. But as far as a proud organization that prides itself, this is probably one of the more low points.”

“I thought what we saw on Saturday was bad,” Marks said. “And then what transpired tonight in Miami, a demolition, uncompetitive two home games. I don’t think I recall a team ever losing this badly in a playoff series in back-to-back games.”

At least last season, when the eventual champion Boston Celtics eliminated the Heat, there was a sense of optimism. They lost in five games despite Jimmy Butler missing the series due to injury.

Now, their future is much more uncertain because Butler is with the Golden State Warriors. Even worse, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo had two consecutive underwhelming postseasons.

Bryan Townes is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at btownesjr@gmail.com or on X @bryantownesjr11. Follow our coverage on Facebook