MIAMI — From the start of the season, it was as if Nikola Jovic stood as the swing player when it came to the Miami Heat’s ultimate 2025-26 fate. So perhaps it hardly was coincidence that two weeks after coach Erik Spoelstra lamented a season gone sour for the 22-year-old forward, Heat President Pat Riley this week paused his comments about the potential of his team’s youth to also focus on ...

MIAMI — The week started with Pat Riley telling us the lottery is for losers. Which, of course, has been a problem all along in a league that savors a race to the bottom. Turns out, Riley hardly was speaking out of turn, with the NBA a day later releasing word of dramatic lottery changes that are expected to be finalized next month and put into play next year. For the Heat, or at least the ...

MIAMI — And now … a waiting game? Somewhat muted amid Pat Riley’s comments this week about the need for decisive Miami Heat change were cautionary words about a process that also could be deferred, put on hold. “We’d like to be a cap team,” Riley said of being able to operate with cap space, rather than the limitations of cap exceptions. “I think we’d like to be a cap team in 2027. I think ...

The Heat led by Pat Riley unveiled that they aim to make a big NBA Free Agency splash and Giannis Antetokounmpo could be their next big target.

Q: Ira, you have always championed the playoffs as being the best thing. How do you think the Hawks are feeling about that today? – Ed. A: Feeling like they were able to push for the playoffs while also knowing they hold the Pelicans’ lottery pick because of some shrew maneuvering at last year’s draft. No, it did not end well on Thursday night against the Knicks, but that also is part of the ...

Dan Le Batard says that Pat Riley is losing the faith of Miami Heat fans due to his recent handling of the roster.