MIAMI – Miami Heat President Pat Riley acknowledged the organization must make changes following the team’s first-round playoff exit, saying “the buck stops with me” as he reflected on the season and looked ahead to what’s next — with forward Jimmy Butler no longer part of the roster.
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“There’s no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team,” Riley said Friday during his end-of-season news conference. “The buck stops with me.”
Riley began by addressing Butler’s influence on the franchise, recalling the star’s determination through his Heat tenure, including during the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble.
“I remember Jimmy was exhausted in the bubble trying to help us win a title,” Riley said. He also praised Butler’s efforts in Game 7 against Boston in 2023 and noted how Butler “played his a-- off in the Finals against Denver,” which resulted in a 4-1 gentleman’s sweep of Miami.
Still, Riley defended the decision not to offer Butler a contract extension this summer.
“I’m not going to apologize for not giving him an extension. I believe in players keeping their mouth shut,” he said. “We wish him well. I hope deep down in his heart that he wishes us well.”
Riley said that the deal that sent Butler to the Golden State Warriors was one that Butler approved.
“You don’t just win it with one guy,” Riley said. “We have medium-aged players in their prime, and our draft picks are in better order, so we have more flexibility for next season.”
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.
“Those losses were humbling. But we’re not tearing everything down,” Riley said. “I only tried to tank twice … one of those was in ’03 to land Dwyane Wade.”
Riley added that while he hasn’t spoken with head coach Erik Spoelstra yet about boosting offensive production — Miami finished in the bottom third of the NBA in scoring and offensive efficiency — he knows changes are necessary.
I honestly think Pat laid groundwork to make a potential move to get a veteran piece to add to Bam/Tyler core. Also made mention a couple of times to Spo needing to improve offense and defense and confident he’ll do that. Nothing really earth shattering, which isn’t surprising.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) May 9, 2025
“We do have to make some changes,” he said. “If you don’t 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.”
As the organization weighs its options, Riley emphasized that the Heat are in a better place structurally.
“You have to make deals and try to do something that will benefit your key guys,” he said. “We’re in the best standpoint in terms of having young players with young contracts and young draft picks, and we’re going to try to find something for this team. It doesn’t happen in one year.”
Now 80 years old, Riley said he’s not stepping away any time soon.
“Eighty is the new 60,” he said, adding that Heat owner Micky Arison encouraged him to “carry on.”
Riley added, “We need to make some changes philosophically and also maybe even personnel-wise.”
Riley had high praise for guard Tyler Herro, who made his first All-Star appearance this season and remains central to Miami’s plans.
“Tyler is ignitable and pivotal in our offensive scheme. I hope he can stay in Miami the rest of his career,” Riley said. “Tyler has to learn how to be a great player like Steph [Curry] when he receives that kind of treatment.”
Main takeaways from Pat Riley comments:
— Will Manso (@WillManso) May 9, 2025
Changes needed and they have flexibility to improve, but it depends on what’s available. It could take more than one season.
Doesn’t regret Jimmy decision. It ended and wishes Butler well.
Not retiring.
Tyler Herro is part of future.
Riley said the team will consider offering Herro a maximum contract extension, noting that conversations have already taken place.
“We’ve talked about it, and I talked about it with Tyler,” Riley said. “The numbers are getting big for a lot of guys, but Tyler is more like, ‘Pay me now or pay me later.’”
Riley did not specify a timeline for a potential deal but made it clear the organization values Herro’s long-term role in Miami.
He also said that Spoelstra “is in great health” but “needs a break” after a long grueling season.
“The NBA season is a grind,” he said. “You’re in at 3 a.m., and it’s a great life — but Spo‘s gonna be fine.”
Riley also wished Gregg Popovich well after the longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach recently stepped down to become the team’s president of basketball operations.
The Heat now enter the offseason with questions to answer and moves to consider, but Riley made one thing clear — he’s not backing down from the challenge.
