Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler sits high among a short list of star players who could feasibly change teams within the next year.
Embroiled in a terse contract dispute heading into the 2024 offseason, it seemed like he and the team were assessing what their futures would look like without each other. The Heat are being implored to build around 27-year-old big man Bam Adebayo as they look towards the next chapter. Butler’s agent is teasing his client’s opt-out, with the Brooklyn Nets either a legitimate destination or a leverage play.
Maybe it’s even a combination.
Heat’s Pat Riley Keeps Cool Amid Jimmy Butler Contract Questions
Addressing Butler’s contract status, Heat president Pat Riley says: “I haven’t had a lot of conversation with Jimmy about it. I’ve talked to his agent at times…. I don’t have to sit down and have these meetings with [Butler] any more. He’s a very intelligent man.” (per the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang).
With such a layered sentiment, let’s peel back Riley’s redoubt.
Butler, who has recently stated that he has more than enough money, seems to have readjusted his priorities.
He knows that Riley is willing to pay him what his value is to the Heat franchise. He also knows that Riley’s gripe with him, if it can be called that, is his rather constant unavailability.
In order to get the salary he wants, Butler needs to play more. It’s as simple as that.
How Many Chances?
From Butler’s perspective, his playing more gives his team a better chance of winning more games.
For a team that’s 102-48 with Butler at home versus 75-66 on the road, that could be significant as it relates to conference standings. If they can get home court advantage, it’ll improve their chances of having a long playoff run and potentially another NBA Finals appearance.
That being said, with two Finals runs this decade, the Heat have to feel like they’re on the verge of victory. Why then would they let perhaps their most important player leave in free agency?
“I wouldn’t want to,” Riley deadpans. “He’s going to have the ability to opt and we’re going to have the ability to extend. So I’m trying to get all that thinking out of our heads because it’s living in the present moment and playing basketball… But I think he’s embraced exactly where he’s at, I think he understands where we’re at.”
Still, almost isn’t good enough. For all the value of continuity and chemistry, the bottom line is that they haven’t been able to get the job done. So, to Riley, “this is a telling year for the team.”
“Everything changes, I think, for the better with continuity and the fact that we believe in this roster,” he says. “Does it mean that if we don’t win this year or if we don’t go deep this year, there are going to be massive changes? No, it doesn’t mean that. But they should know that this should be a crucial year for them.”
