Sir Charles in Charge
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Pat Riley Regrets Paying Chris Bosh Over Dwyane Wade

By Michael Saenz

Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Rumors: In a recent in-depth interview, Miami Heat president Pat Riley admits that he regrets paying Chris Bosh a max deal over Dwyane Wade

It’s always easier to realize – and identify – mistakes in retrospect. Even the most difficult ones to admit.

And in a moment of reflection, Miami Heat president Pat Riley brought one into light. In an in-depth interview with ESPN’s Wright Thompson, Riley admits that he dropped the ball in 2014, when he decided to pay Chris Bosh max money over Dwyane Wade.

After LeBron James had elected to take his talents back to Cleveland, Chris Bosh threatened to sign with the Houston Rockets if the Heat didn’t offer him max money. Riley eventually gave in and paid Bosh what he was asking for.

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"[via ESPN]But of course, Riley says, almost immediately after LeBron left, Bosh’s camp wanted to reopen a deal they’d just finished, knowing the Heat had money and felt vulnerable. Bosh threatened to sign with the Rockets. In the end, Riley gave Bosh what he wanted. Now he wishes he’d said no to Bosh’s max deal and given all that money to Wade."

Ironically, at the time, Bosh and Wade shared the same agent. So while it’s easy to pile on Pat Riley for this misstep, some blame needs to be carried by Henry Thomas. Getting Bosh the max and not Wade simply doesn’t make much sense, but it happened.

For the record, I don’t think this regret is a shot to Bosh either. I don’t think it has anything to do with Bosh being (practically) forced to retire because of medical issues. This has more to do with his deteriorated relationship with Dwyane Wade.

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It’s pretty evident by now that Wade should be in Miami. He never should’ve left. Perhaps what makes this worse is the fact that it was completely avoidable.

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