MIAMI - A week after their first-round playoff elimination, the Miami Heat are reflecting on their loss and strategizing their next steps. Heat President Pat Riley took a candid approach on Monday night, addressing the future of the team and the role of superstar forward Jimmy Butler.

The main question looming is how much basketball Butler will be playing at the Kaseya Center in the immediate future. The Miami Herald reported last week that Butler is seeking a maximum two-year extension. When asked about this, Riley remained non-committal and emphasized player availability.

"We haven't discussed a contract extension internally," Riley admitted, stressing the importance of players staying healthy and available for games. 

Since joining Miami, Butler has never played more than 64 games in a season. Over the weekend, he made comments suggesting the Heat could have defeated the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks if he had been able to play.

"Is that Jimmy trolling? Or is that Jimmy serious?" Riley questioned, adding a pointed remark: "If you're not on the court playing against Boston or the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut."

Riley made it clear that he's confident in Butler's abilities and emphasized there are no plans to trade him, but instead retool around the current core.

"Our five-year window has been successful, though we haven't won the championship. I think that bothers everybody. But our organization doesn't rebuild—we retool. We're always open to acquiring critical pieces and have an opportunity to improve the team."

The team's performance this season is under scrutiny, with many analysts believing that the roster needs a strategic overhaul to become a championship contender. Riley emphasized his intention to continue pursuing top-tier talent and maximize the team's potential. 

One of the challenges lies in managing player injuries and maintaining high performance throughout the season. Riley acknowledged that Butler's availability is crucial, not just for regular-season success, but also for deep playoff runs.

The Miami Heat front office remains committed to fostering a competitive culture that strives for excellence. With Riley's determination to retool and not rebuild, the Heat will focus on shoring up weaknesses and maximizing strengths to ensure they remain contenders in the seasons to come.