Pat Riley Under Fire After Heat Miss on Walter Clayton Jr. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Miami Heat had a golden opportunity to land one of the most electric scorers in the draft, and they let it slip. Walter Clayton Jr., a Florida native and national champion, was still on the board at pick No. 18. But instead of making a move, the Heat stood pat at No. 20.

The Utah Jazz swooped in, trading up with the Wizards to grab Clayton, while Miami watched from the sidelines. For a team that’s been searching for backcourt scoring and playmaking depth, the decision not to trade up has fans fuming, and team President Pat Riley is catching the brunt of it.

“Walter Clayton Jr doesn’t fall to the Heat… pain,” a fan said reacting to Clayton Jr. being drafted.

“Any Miami Heat fan that doesn’t want Walter Clayton Jr. is CRAZY,” another fan said after Miami didn’t trade up.

“I mean this in the most respectful way possible… please fire Pat Riley,” a fan said about Riley.

“Yeah Pat Riley has officially lost his fastball,” a user said after missing on the opportunity to draft Clayton Jr.

“WOW PAT RILEY,” another user said after Clayton Jr. was drafted by the Jazz.

Clayton had been heavily linked to the Heat in the days leading up to the draft. He worked out multiple times in Miami, canceled other visits, and was viewed by many as a perfect fit alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Instead, the Heat stayed put and missed out.

Clayton averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, and shot 38.6% from three during his senior season at Florida. He was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and helped lead the Gators to a national title. His shot creation, toughness, and local ties made him a fan favorite before he even hit the league. But now, he’s headed to Salt Lake City.

The Heat’s decision not to trade up, especially in a draft where several teams were aggressive, has only added to the frustration. After missing out on Kevin Durant and failing to land a marquee name in free agency, this latest whiff has fans questioning whether the front office is still operating with the urgency that once defined the franchise.

Related: Pat Riley Getting Blamed For Sunday’s Blockbuster NBA Trade

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.