The Miami Heat may have struck gold with their latest acquisition, but for team president Pat Riley, the work is far from done. If the goal is still championship contention—and in Miami, it always is—now is the moment to double down.
The addition of Norman Powell (or any recent impactful player) gave the Heat something they desperately needed: reliable scoring, veteran poise, and two-way flexibility. But while that move was brilliant in isolation, it only works if it’s followed by a bolder push. Miami still lacks frontcourt size, rebounding strength, and a second star-level scorer to consistently support Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo through a deep playoff run.
With Eastern Conference rivals loading up—Philadelphia adding Paul George, New York securing Mikal Bridges, and Boston still elite—the Heat can’t afford to tread water. Riley’s legacy has been defined by fearless moves, and now he’s staring at another crossroads.
Does he cash in young assets and picks to bring in a game-changer? Or risk wasting another year of Butler’s prime?
The first domino fell. Now it’s time for the knockout move.
Because in Miami, brilliance isn’t the goal—banners are. And Riley knows it better than anyone.
