- 3,238
- 10
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2007
Pat Riley's private discussions indicate 2010 remains Heat's priority
MIAMI - Miami Heat President Pat Riley laid out a plan to season-ticket holdersThursday that continues to place the team's emphasis on next summer's free-agent period, despite reports linking the Heat to several high-profileoptions this summer.
In a session limited to season-ticket holders and closed to the media, Riley said he would not risk forfeiting next summer's cap space only to eventuallylose out on the opportunity to pair a prime 2010 free agent alongside current Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
While Riley has not addressed the media since the June 25 NBA Draft, a Heat blueprint has emerged through contact with those who attendedRiley's private sessions for season-ticket holders and prospective season-ticket holders the past two days, as well as conversations with those involved inthe Heat's machinations.
Riley even joked during Thursday's session that he anticipated some of those present would immediately text and Tweet his comments. Riley did not addressthe assembled media after Thursday's final session of the team's summer camp.
What was made clear in Riley's private session was that the Heat's interest in re-acquiring forward Lamar Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers is legitimate, withnumbers being discussed that would approach the current Lakers' free-agent offer that Odom has rejected, when accounting from Florida's lack of stateincome tax and other options regarding payments.
Beyond that, the Heat has not entered talks about possibly acquiring forward Carlos Boozer from the Utah Jazz, but is monitoring that situation, with no expectation ofa quick resolution by the Jazz.
In his Thursday speech to season-ticket holders, Riley said the team could acquire Odom, Boozer or both and still put itself in position to be a major playerin 2010 free agency. The Heat made it clear to those present that Riley's comments to season-ticket holders were in an "off the record" setting.
At the heart of Riley's approach is that regardless of whether the 2010 free-agent class thins out in coming months, there still will be substantial talentavailable.
Riley also has been stressing that his team's 2009 free-agent move actually came months ago, when he acquired Jermaine O'Neal from the TorontoRaptors at the February trading deadline.
As for the perceived need to upgrade at point guard, sources indicate that Philadelphia 76ers free-agent point guard Andre Miller, because of ageand the desire for a long-term contract, apparently is not on the Heat's radar and the team's overtures to Allen Iverson on the first-day of freeagency never included a substantive offer, including the $2 million, one-year figure that has been widely quoted.
Riley exited Thursday's session through a side door at the Heat's AmericanAirlines Arena practice court.
However, during Thursday's session, Riley stressed that the future remains the priority, indicating hopes for landing a significant free agent a year fromnow. Riley told Thursday's private gathering that should Odom or Boozer be added this summer, the team still could add a top-tier free agent by"shifting some stuff around."
Riley told Thursday's gathering that some of the league's most significant moves have occurred between mid-July and the mid-February trading deadline.
For now, Heat management is only willing to exceed next season's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax for a player it envisions with a long-term future with theteam, which would appear to rule out anything but a minimal deal for the likes of an Iverson.
As for perceived differences with Wade over the all-star guard so far bypassing the opportunity to extend his contract, Riley holds out hope, but no greatexpectation, of gaining Wade's signature before next summer. A summit, however, still is planned later this summer, with Riley already having shared theblueprint with Wade that he has been explaining privately in recent days.
Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@SunSentinel.com
MIAMI - Miami Heat President Pat Riley laid out a plan to season-ticket holdersThursday that continues to place the team's emphasis on next summer's free-agent period, despite reports linking the Heat to several high-profileoptions this summer.
In a session limited to season-ticket holders and closed to the media, Riley said he would not risk forfeiting next summer's cap space only to eventuallylose out on the opportunity to pair a prime 2010 free agent alongside current Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
While Riley has not addressed the media since the June 25 NBA Draft, a Heat blueprint has emerged through contact with those who attendedRiley's private sessions for season-ticket holders and prospective season-ticket holders the past two days, as well as conversations with those involved inthe Heat's machinations.
Riley even joked during Thursday's session that he anticipated some of those present would immediately text and Tweet his comments. Riley did not addressthe assembled media after Thursday's final session of the team's summer camp.
What was made clear in Riley's private session was that the Heat's interest in re-acquiring forward Lamar Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers is legitimate, withnumbers being discussed that would approach the current Lakers' free-agent offer that Odom has rejected, when accounting from Florida's lack of stateincome tax and other options regarding payments.
Beyond that, the Heat has not entered talks about possibly acquiring forward Carlos Boozer from the Utah Jazz, but is monitoring that situation, with no expectation ofa quick resolution by the Jazz.
In his Thursday speech to season-ticket holders, Riley said the team could acquire Odom, Boozer or both and still put itself in position to be a major playerin 2010 free agency. The Heat made it clear to those present that Riley's comments to season-ticket holders were in an "off the record" setting.
At the heart of Riley's approach is that regardless of whether the 2010 free-agent class thins out in coming months, there still will be substantial talentavailable.
Riley also has been stressing that his team's 2009 free-agent move actually came months ago, when he acquired Jermaine O'Neal from the TorontoRaptors at the February trading deadline.
As for the perceived need to upgrade at point guard, sources indicate that Philadelphia 76ers free-agent point guard Andre Miller, because of ageand the desire for a long-term contract, apparently is not on the Heat's radar and the team's overtures to Allen Iverson on the first-day of freeagency never included a substantive offer, including the $2 million, one-year figure that has been widely quoted.
Riley exited Thursday's session through a side door at the Heat's AmericanAirlines Arena practice court.
However, during Thursday's session, Riley stressed that the future remains the priority, indicating hopes for landing a significant free agent a year fromnow. Riley told Thursday's private gathering that should Odom or Boozer be added this summer, the team still could add a top-tier free agent by"shifting some stuff around."
Riley told Thursday's gathering that some of the league's most significant moves have occurred between mid-July and the mid-February trading deadline.
For now, Heat management is only willing to exceed next season's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax for a player it envisions with a long-term future with theteam, which would appear to rule out anything but a minimal deal for the likes of an Iverson.
As for perceived differences with Wade over the all-star guard so far bypassing the opportunity to extend his contract, Riley holds out hope, but no greatexpectation, of gaining Wade's signature before next summer. A summit, however, still is planned later this summer, with Riley already having shared theblueprint with Wade that he has been explaining privately in recent days.
Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@SunSentinel.com
