Grumpy Heat Fan wrote:The biggest missed opportunity wasn't Beal, it was Kevin Durant to the Suns. We should have made that deal happen somehow. KD on the Heat solves -everything-.
Honestly, one thing I've noticed about Riley, is that he's become too conservative in trades. Doesn't want to give up too much for franchise changing players like he used to.
The old Riley would send half the roster for a Shaq, or a KD.... and then fill in the roleplayers later.
This current Riley overvalues the roleplayers and assets, and as a result nothing gets done.
I think Riley is just too chill and happy with his career accomplishments. Sure he wants to win another before retiring, but he doesn't seem to be in a rush about it. Old Riley would give his heart and lungs to acquire a KD, or a Lillard, or whatever.
Maybe, its because of the old Riley that the New Riley had to emerge, going all in put Miami in a vice grip in the future to expand and get Superstars. If not for Wade, the Big three doesn't happen(outside of cap space they didn't have anything over other teams), or the big 3 could of ended happening elsewhere. If not for Jimmy making it real hard on Philly(We didn't have the assets to get him Mini) and saying Miami or nothing plus Wade pushing here. Imagine Philly that year resign Jimmy instead of the other guy, and sending Ben to another team. When you really drill down into the weed of things, It could of been Shaq the last big signing they had if not for Wade's influence and some luck.
I kind of went of track, but where I was heading was that they saw how hard it was to revamp after sending out multiple assets for many years being handcuffed. I think they realized that their development program is really good, same thing with scouting and drafting talent. Why not expand and focus on keeping picks to grow from within instead. Yeah its a change in philosophy, but what if thats the Spo movement when he is ready to take the rains and become the GM, pushing youth and developments. The great thing about having Assetts and young players in your clip, is when a top 5 star comes on the Market you have the ammunition to pull a trigger.
If you have 4 FRP's in your arsenal and a litenamy of young high upside talent, you can afford to send 2 good to great young players and couple of picks to get you a Superstar.