It is no secret that Miami Heat president Pat Riley has a penchant for building superteams.
Next year, he has the opportunity to do so again, given the list of big names in the 2021 NBA free agent class.
Some of the players that could be available for the franchise to woo in free agency include Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Paul George and Victor Oladipo. However, the Heat reportedly have their sights set on Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Pat Riley pulled off perhaps the greatest acquisition this century when he lured LeBron James from Cleveland, and he’ll presumably be in strong position for an encore in July 2021,” wrote Michael Shapiro of Sports Illustrated. “The Heat could have Jimmy Butler’s contract as their only max deal on the roster after 2020-21, and even if Bam Adebayo inks an extension before July 2021, Miami could still have room to add Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is certainly at the top of the Heat’s list.”
Adding the current MVP to the roster would certainly make the Heat one of the favorites to win the 2022 NBA title.
By teaming up Antetokounmpo with Butler, who would still be in his prime, and Adebayo, already one of the league’s best big men, opponents would have few answers on either end of the court.
Filling up the rest of the roster with a solid supporting cast would probably be a challenge because of salary-cap restrictions. But if there is anyone capable of solving that, it is Riley.
10 years ago, Riley was not only able to reel in James and Chris Bosh to form a Big 3 with franchise icon Dwyane Wade, but he also got the right role players to play around them. The Heat won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
If things go according to plan in 2021, the Heat might be able to add more championship banners to the rafters.
