Ohm YoungmisukApr 27, 2026, 03:51 PM ETCloseOhm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University. Follow him on Twitter »Follow on XMultiple Authors
Pat Riley: ‘I’m not going to retire, I’m not going to resign’ (0:50)Pat Riley says at the Heat’s end-of-season news conference that he will not retire or resign. (0:50)
Miami Heat president Pat Riley made it clear that he is not retiring or resigning and that he remains as committed as ever to leading the franchise to its fourth NBA championship.
“I’m not going to retire. I’m not going to resign,” Riley, 81, told reporters at his annual end-of-the-season news conference in Miami. “I’m not going to step aside. When I came here almost 31 years ago, I have the same attitude as I had in that press conference on the [cruise ship] Imagination. Period. I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard. It may come. It may not.
The Heat missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season when they lost, 127-126 in overtime, to the Charlotte Hornets in the 9-10 play-in game Apr. 14. It was the fourth consecutive season Miami has started the postseason in the play-in.
Riley vowed that he will never change his approach, saying his only focus is on winning and improving the Heat and that he will never tank for assets.
“We are in a period right now, you don’t make radical changes right now, not in my philosophy,” Riley said. “I am not going to tank. We are not going to lose. We are not going into the lottery and do that insanity because I will quit — if I ever get ordered to go down that road. I am always thinking of ways to win.
“Now all I can give you is a bunch of excuses. And I don’t want to do that. We are just not good enough. We are not happy with it. This is the first time in those three years that we have an opportunity to do something with our roster, with our flexibility, with our players.”
The Heat have a lottery pick for the first time since 2018. Norman Powell, who became a first-time All-Star, will be a free agent, and Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are eligible for extensions. Andrew Wiggins also has a $30.2 million player option.
Riley said the Heat will be aggressive in upgrading the roster this summer, when trade talks could heat up surrounding Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Riley, though, will not entertain trading his best player, Bam Adebayo, in any deal to improve the franchise. Adebayo, the prototypical Heat culture product, is coming off his ninth season, one that included an 83-point explosion against Washington on March 10.
“They’re not Bam,” Riley replied. “I don’t think they are. Not in my opinion anyhow. Especially with your franchise pillar, anchor-maker, culture-carrier and a talented guy.
“… I am not saying that something would happen, but I want to build this around Bam… I am just going to give you a flat-out no, I wouldn’t do that. Unless somebody gave me eight picks and [San Antonio’s Victor] Wembanyama.”
Riley confirmed that Herro, who played in just 33 games this season due to injuries, underwent a “preemptive procedure” on his foot but will be ready to return for camp.
“It’s unfortunate what happened with Tyler this year,” Riley said. “He’s having a procedure done, preemptive procedure done, which is good. He’ll be ready to go, I think, by July. So he’s got more than enough time ahead of training camp.”
As far as a possible extension for the guard, Riley said the organization will have “to show a level of discipline in extending out contracts that are big-money contracts.”
Riley also confirmed that he does not have final say on decisions, something he said he has deferred to ownership in the past, and remarked: “Quite frankly, I don’t think I want it. I don’t have the ego to have to have it.”
What Riley despises is not winning at a championship level. He says the Heat will do everything they can in a pivotal summer to upgrade the team.
“Always trying to compete at the highest levels… We are always going to try to win. If we are competing for the last spot in the play-in, we will fight to the very last breath.”
Pat Riley: ‘I’m not going to retire, I’m not going to resign’ (0:50)Pat Riley says at the Heat’s end-of-season news conference that he will not retire or resign. (0:50)
Pat Riley says at the Heat’s end-of-season news conference that he will not retire or resign. (0:50)
Ohm YoungmisukApr 27, 2026, 03:51 PM ETCloseOhm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University. Follow him on Twitter »Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseOhm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University. Follow him on Twitter »Follow on X