Q: Ira, do you expect breaking news from Pat Riley on Monday? – Sandy.
A: I guess that comes down to your interpretation of what is news. I do believe Pat Riley will recognize and stress that change is coming, considering this is now matches the second-worst stretch of his playing/coaching/management career, only the second time his team has been limited to one playoff-game victory over a three-year span (he went without a playoff victory in the span of 2000-01, ’01-02 and ’02-03 as Heat coach, with just one playoff victory in the span of 2016-17, ’17-18 and ’18-19 as Heat president). So when it basically is as bad as it ever has been over his nearly 50 years in the game, the expectation would be something more than talk about staying the course. As the Heat continue to put him front and center as the face of the team, then his words seemingly would have to reflect the moment.
Q: How about Nick Arison do the media session? He’s the one pulling the strings. – Manny.
A: If Pat Riley opens that door or leaves that door open, deferring to Nick Arison on answers on Monday, then yes, further explanation would seem reasonable from the executive branch. Remember, this is not like seeking an owner for comment (of which many in the South Florida market have declined). Nick Arison is listed as CEO, above Riley, in the team’s hierarchy. Micky Arison is listed as managing general partner.
Q: I enjoyed your informative article about the trade assets the Heat have with their roster. Can’t the $17 million Duncan Robinson trade exception also be used until July 7, to allow them to send out that much less in salary than they take back? – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: Yes and no. Trade exceptions cannot be aggregated, therefore can’t be “thrown into a deal” to balance it under the cap. However, such exemptions can be used concurrently in a trade, to take in salary from a single player as part of the bigger deal. For example, should the Bucks demand Bobby Portis also be taken on by an acquiring team in a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, then Portis’ salary could be taken into the Robinson trade exception in a concurrent deal.