Pat Riley: 'No doubt' Heat have to make changes

Miami Heat president Pat Riley admitted Friday that the roster will likely undergo significant alterations this summer following a disappointing end to the season.

"I think we do have to make changes," Riley told reporters, including Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "There's no doubt. There has to be some change."

Miami's campaign crashed to a halt with a 55-point home loss on April 28, capping a first-round sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers and one of the most lopsided series in NBA playoff history.

Riley acknowledged it'll fall on him and the front office to find avenues to improve the Heat this summer.

"We probably won't run it back," he said, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. "But players aren't just going to show up. You have to make deals."

Miami has 12 players on guaranteed or partially guaranteed deals through 2025-26, including its leading duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Thanks to an extension signed in July 2024, Adebayo is secured through 2027-28 and holds a player option for the following year. Herro, under contract through 2026-27, won't require action this summer but will have a three-week window from Oct. 1-20 to sign an extension worth up to $150 million over three years.

Riley revealed Friday that he and Herro have spoken about the looming extension window but didn't divulge details of the discussion. However, he said he hopes the 25-year-old stays in Miami long term and suggested adding pieces to complement the guard's playing style.

"He's pivotal for us as an offensive player," Riley said. "We need more around him to do a little more of what he does. He's getting beat up, getting overly schemed. I hope he can stay here the rest of his career."

Riley also addressed the dramatic midseason saga involving Jimmy Butler for the first time since trading the 35-year-old to the Golden State Warriors in February. Butler feuded with Riley for months after the executive refused the forward's extension request, with the standoff resulting in multiple team-issued suspensions for the six-time All-Star.

While Riley echoed Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra's previous comments and acknowledged that the situation negatively affected the Heat's on-court performance, the 80-year-old stood by his decision Friday.

"I'm not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension," Riley said.