Part 4/7:
While the Heat are known as one of the elite franchises in the NBA, with Riley being a respected figure, a deeper examination reveals some shortcomings. Just last season, Butler led the team through a remarkable playoff run to the NBA finals, but in a stark contrast, this season's competitive landscape sees the Heat struggling to keep pace. The failure to secure prominent players—such as Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Kyrie Irving—demonstrates a critical miss in their roster strategy.
Critics of the Heat's organizational decisions highlight that while they have had the opportunity to make impactful trades, this has not materialized. Butler's usage rate has dropped significantly, sparking debate about why a player of his caliber is not utilized effectively on the court.