Q: Ira, I thought it was important that the Terry Rozier draft pick was brought up in Pat Riley’s news conference and that he spoke on how it didn’t work out. But now that there’s even more news, it seems like they got screwed even worse. – Marcus.
A: For those who did not see, Courthouse News Service and other news outlets reported Monday that the government now plans to bring additional charges against Terry Rozier in the gambling scandal that kept him on NBA leave from the season opener through his recent Heat release, reporting, “NBA guard Terry Rozier will face more charges related to gambling on league games, federal prosecutors said in court Monday. Government lawyers told U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall that they plan to file a superseding indictment by May 14, which would tack at least two charges onto Rozier’s existing case.” And while the Heat did receive compensation from the Hornets in the form of a second-round pick this June (No. 41), the reality is that they still owe Charlotte either a first-round pick with top-14 protection next year or an unprotected first-round pick in 2028. Based on the severity of the case, this no longer is just a case of the NBA or Hornets glossing over something minor. The fact that the pick due has yet to be put into play seemingly would have provided more time than the settlement on a mere second-rounder. No, a team cannot sue the league, or at least not do it within league rules. But now, even more than ever, it feels as if the Heat were slighted. Again, the first-round pick due does not get put into play for at least another 14 months. So while Adam Silver adjudicated, it would seem the Heat could and should go back and ask for an appended ruling, just as the federal government is with the Rozier charges. The government has said this is not over. So why the Heat? It feels like this was settled for pennies on the dollar.
Q: For me being a Heat fan and a Pat Riley guy, he gets the benefit of the doubt from me, and I think he knows as well as anybody the way to get past this is the execution of bettering the team. Can he still execute in today’s game and the difficult obstacles that come along with it? – Douglas.
A: Seemingly, with the right people around him, including those who can maintain a perspective of protecting the future. It was a bit unsettling to hear Pat Riley refer to the Terry Rozier deal as a means of having duel closers, along with Tyler Herro. Such thinking could further put the Heat in small-ball jail. Again, no need to remove anyone from jobs well done. but a disrupter added to the mix would seem necessary, someone with an alternative perspective.
Q: After listening to Pat Riley’s end-of-year press conference, the only two players that he heaped praise on were Bam Adebayo and Davion Mitchell. Otherwise, he really didn’t sound very excited about anyone else, which could mean lots of changes coming this offseason. – Greg, Jacksonville.
A: He also offered an interesting take on Kel’el Ware, but that seemingly was to prop up Kel’el’s value. But, yes, when it came to committing long term, there hardly was an embrace beyond a pair of players.