Why Pat Riley & Miami Heat Might Not Keep Shawn Marion
February 28 08
My AM Take: For the record, Pat Riley says he wants Shawn Marion in Miami long-term. But the oil slick doesn’t always follow through on what he says.
Three years ago, Riley, the GM, claimed he had no interest in returning to the Heat’s bench. Of course, Stan Van Gundy, the sideline boss he replaced three short months later, would tell you differently.
Five years ago, Riley said he wanted to sign restricted free agent Elton Brand. The forward was quickly tendered an offer sheet, but the Clippers exercised their right to match.
With L.A. having spent all their money on Brand, the Heat was free to sign the Clippers’ other star free agent Lamar Odom. Some claimed Odom was Miami’s first option all along, so Riley can bluff and win.
Take his comments on keeping Marion with a grain of salt. If the Matrix opts out of his contract this July, Miami would suddenly have 17 million dollars in available cap space. There can be worse things like …
Suppose Marion doesn’t exercise his opt-out clause and plays next season with the Heat. Negotiating anything, like a long-term extension, with the pogo-stick wing can be laborious-painful, in fact. Just ask Mike D’Antoni and the Phoenix Suns.
Also, Marion has overestimated his worth. Apparently, he wants a 3 years, 60 million dollar extension, which is too much for a second-third star. Some believe he’ll get Gerald Wallace or Kevin Martin money because few teams have cap space.
So Riley wants Marion to stay. For many reason, the oil slick may end up doing something different.
Should Miami sign Marion long-term? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA appearing Sunday through Friday on HoopsVibe.com. Errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another coffee.
