SIZE MATTERS: PAT RILEY VOWS TO ADDRESS HEAT’S BIGGEST WEAKNESS THIS OFFSEASON
Four straight Play-In appearances. A 127-126 heartbreak against Charlotte. An 81-year-old president who is, in his own words, “really pissed.” The Miami Heat’s crossroads offseason starts now.
Quick Summary — For Fast Readers
- Small ball isn’t working
Miami’s undersized lineups were repeatedly exposed by larger opponents in the 2025-26 season, culminating in a Play-In loss to Charlotte. - Pat Riley promises change
The Heat president vowed to address the team’s size issues this offseason, signaling a potential shift in roster construction. - Three offseason priorities
Riley’s blueprint includes building around Bam Adebayo, pursuing stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, and prioritizing durability in player acquisitions.
The Size Problem: By the Numbers
The Miami Heat’s small-ball approach has been a defining trait of the franchise under Erik Spoelstra, but the 2025-26 season laid bare its limitations.
Here’s how Miami stacked up against the Eastern Conference teams that finished ahead of them in the standings:
| Position | Heat Starter | Opponent Starter | Size Deficit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Davion Mitchell (6’0″) | Maxey (6’2″), Suggs (6’5″), Daniels (6’7″) | ⬇️ Significant |
| SG | Tyler Herro (6’5″) | Barrett (6’6″), Bane (6’6″) | ⬇️ Moderate |
| PF | Andrew Wiggins (6’7″) | Banchero (6’10”), Bona (6’10”), Barnes (6’8″) | ⬇️ Significant |
| C | Bam Adebayo (6’9″) | Embiid (7’0″), Poetl (7’0″), Carter Jr. (6’10”) | ⬇️ Significant |
The Heat’s reliance on undersized lineups was a recurring issue, particularly against bigger teams like Orlando and Toronto. Miami’s Adebayo/Wiggins frontcourt pairing was outscored by 48 points in 211 minutes against those teams. Even the taller Adebayo/Kel’el Ware duo struggled, being outscored by 51 points in just 56 minutes.
Despite their struggles, coach Erik Spoelstra hesitated to commit to a bigger lineup. The Adebayo/Ware pairing, which outscored opponents by 6.7 points per 100 possessions, shared the floor for just 6.9 minutes per game.
Riley Speaks: “We Will Address That”
Pat Riley is furious — and he wants everyone to know it.
At his end-of-season press conference, the 81-year-old Heat president didn’t hold back, describing his disappointment with the team’s performance and vowing to fix their size problem.
“Wiggs sometimes plays the four for us, and you’re talking about going small. And hopefully that your speed and your quickness and shooting can get to the size and their slowness or whatever it is before they can get to you. So that’s playing small.”
When asked directly about whether size would be a priority this offseason, Riley was unequivocal:
“We will address that.”
Riley also dismissed any speculation about his retirement, saying:
“I’m not going to retire. I’m not going to resign. I’m not going to step aside. I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard.”
The Offseason Blueprint: Stars, Size, and Availability
Riley’s plan for the summer is ambitious but focused.
Track 1: Build Around Bam
Bam Adebayo is untouchable. Despite rumors of a potential trade, Riley made his stance crystal clear:
“I want to build this around Bam. I’m going to give you a flat-out no, unless somebody gave me eight picks and Wembanyama.”
Adebayo’s historic 83-point performance this season — breaking Kobe Bryant’s single-game record — solidified his status as Miami’s centerpiece.
Track 2: Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo
Riley has long coveted Giannis, and with the Bucks star’s future in Milwaukee uncertain, Miami appears ready to make its move.
The Sporting News confirmed that a package centered around Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware is already being discussed internally. Giannis’s age (31) and championship pedigree make him an ideal fit for Miami’s timeline, though his recent injury history could complicate negotiations.
Track 3: Prioritize Availability
Riley emphasized that durability will be a key factor in Miami’s offseason decisions.
“The first thing I look at: Games played.”
This statement casts doubt on Miami’s rumored interest in injury-prone stars like Ja Morant and Kawhi Leonard. Both players have struggled to stay on the court in recent seasons, and Riley’s comments suggest he’s wary of committing to players with significant health concerns.
The Roster Reality
The Heat enter the offseason with both opportunities and challenges.
They hold three tradable first-round picks, including their 2026 selection, which becomes available on draft night. However, injuries plagued Miami’s roster throughout the 2025-26 season, with Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, and Nikola Jovic missing a combined 108 games.
Andrew Wiggins’ $30.1 million player option is another critical factor. If Wiggins opts in, Miami’s flexibility in free agency and trades will be severely limited. If he opts out, Riley will have more room to maneuver — but also a massive hole to fill at power forward.
The Bottom Line
The Miami Heat are facing a pivotal offseason. Four straight years of Play-In exits have exposed the limits of their small-ball philosophy, and Pat Riley is determined to fix it.
“I’m really pissed,” Riley said. “We’re just not good enough. We will address that.”
The question is whether Riley’s moves this summer — adding size, pursuing stars, and prioritizing availability — will be enough to finally bring another championship parade to Biscayne Boulevard.
The clock is ticking. And Riley knows it.
Sources
ESPN: Game Recap: Heat Lose 127-126 to Charlotte in Play-In Tournament (April 15, 2026)
Miami Herald / AOL Sports: Is It Time for Heat to Make Adding Size a Priority This Offseason? Riley: “We Will Address That” (May 4, 2026)
Sporting News / Yahoo Sports: Heat’s Pat Riley Hints at Big Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA Free Agency Acquisition (April 27, 2026)
Hot Hot Hoops: Pat Riley Emphasizes What He’s Prioritizing This Summer With 2 Words (April 30, 2026)
