Pat Riley’s philosophy calls for it
If there’s one rule that Pat Riley has always lived by during his tenure with the Miami Heat, it’s been that you have to get the “whale” when you can and worry about fit later. If the Heat has a package, that does not include Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo, that could land James Harden, you do it.
The natural concerns, in this case, revolve around fit. Harden is under contract for at least two more seasons, and likely three, so even if the Heat has to part ways with a valued asset, such as Tyler Herro, Miami will have at least guaranteed two years of Harden’s prime.
Harden is coming off a season in which he averaged 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range. Pat Riley has always gotten the talent and worried about fit later.
We saw that when he acquired Shaquille O’Neal and when he signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh in free agency. If James Harden is on the open market, you go get him.