Miami Heat: 5 Takeaways From Pat Riley’s End-Of-Year Press Conference

4. Trading For Big Names Now More Likely

In an answer to a later question, Riley said the following:

"We don’t have to go ‘whale-hunting’; you can acquire, and I think sometimes you will be acquiring key players via trade… instead of going out and laying out $38 million for a guy. Some of these guys’ max numbers are ridiculous. But that’s the nature of the new [CBA]."

That shouldn’t really come as a surprise to those who have followed the team for a long time. After all, over the last two decades, Riley has almost made it a habit to acquire disgruntled stars via trade.

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All-timers like Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Hardaway arrived to South Florida in that very manner. Who’s to say it can’t happen again?

Perusing the current NBA landscape, one name bears a striking resemblance to the ones just listed, for the likeness in their situations: Carmelo Anthony.

Big name? Check. Unhappy with his current team? Double check. (Thank you, Phil Jackson.) Stock at its lowest point? Yahtzee.

A month ago, I thought the idea of Miami trading for Anthony was a little too bullish. But now, after Jackson told the world that the New York Knicks’ star would be better off elsewhere? It really may not be out of the question.

If the Heat were to package Justise Winslow along with whoever they draft in the first round, it may be more than enough to reach an agreement (provided Anthony waives his no-trade clause to join Miami). Wes Goldberg over at All U Can Heat outlined that very deal, and the potential repercussions of it.

However, is Winslow even available for trade discussions? Not according to Riley.