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It was a huge topic of discussion Tuesday when Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Miami Heat would be open to trading Jimmy Butler, and the star had some preferred destinations. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about it being “gibberish” on Tuesday, but now Butler would speak for the first time about the speculation after Wednesday's practice.
While the outside noise can be a lot for a player, Butler doesn't mind the basketball world talking about him, though he would say it is “a lot” if the topic is about him getting traded, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
“I actually like it,” Butler said. “It’s good to be talked about. I don’t think there’s such a thing as bad publicity to a point. But if somebody is talking about me getting traded, that’s a lot.”
Heat's Jimmy Butler is not bothered by the recent trade speculation
Butler had been connected to such teams as the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors, as he reportedly would prefer those groups if he were to be traded. However, there has been speculation if the report holds any credence since Butler has an affinity for the city of Miami, but in terms of the rumblings, he does not seem to be bothered by any of it.
“It’s fine with me,” Butler continued on the trade speculation. “It doesn’t bother me one bit and I do appreciate it. I appreciate going out there and hooping and I appreciate being efficient, being effective and helping my team win. I don’t ever take playing basketball for anybody for granted.”
Heat's Pat Riley was originally non-committal on Jimmy Butler extension
It is not a total shock that his name is thrown around in trade talks as he and the team have not seen eye-to-eye on a contract extension, which Butler has been seeking since last offseason, and the trade deadline is Feb. 6. The tensions would escalate when Heat president Pat Riley was non-committal in a deal, citing player availability as a reason.
“Well, you know, we don't have to do that for a year, and so we have not discussed that internally right now, but we have to look at that and then making that kind of commitment,” Riley said. “We don't have to do it until '25 actually, but we'll see. We haven't made a decision on it. And we really haven't really in earnest discussed it. So we'll see what happens.”
“Well, I mean, if you request we can either accept, or we can say we're going to think about it,” Riley continued. “We've not made a decision on it, and I think you can make too much out of this. You still got two years left on the contract. Theoretically he's got a player option, but that's something that we have to give some real thought to based on a lot of factors.
Heat's Jimmy Butler on whether a contract extension is a top priority
Butker would be asked Wednesday about a long-term future with the organization, to which he responded candidly with “Who knows?” as he is focused on the season in front of him as the team has won three straight. He would also be asked by the media if getting another max contract extension is at the top of his priority list, which he would deny and list many other reasons.
“Not really,” Butler said. “My kids matter, my happiness matters, my well-being matters, and my family matters. Right now, it’s all about competing, staying healthy, and playing some great basketball. I think I’ve done that so far, so we’ll see what we got.”
There is no doubt that Butler has been asked time and time again if he wants to stay in Miami and finish his career with the Heat. He would be asked that again and expressed mild frustration with the constant questioning of his loyalty, even saying that he does not know the answer since he will likely see a report saying the complete opposite response.
“I don’t know,” Butler said. “I’m pretty sure y’all are going to get a report that’s going to say otherwise anyway. So there’s no sense in me answering that question.”
Heat's Jimmy Butler on the outlook of the team at the current moment
The timing of the rumors is ironic since it would seem that there is dysfunction, but rather, the team is in their best stretch of the season as the Heat recently beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, which marked their third straight win. The Heat would also beat the Los Angeles Lakers in a 41-point rout and also have an impressive victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Butler seems more focused on the current success of the team than on a possible extension in the future.
“I feel like we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing,” Butler said. “We’ve won a couple in a row. I’m not worried about an extension. We’ll handle all of that whenever it gets here and take it day by day. The more articles that come out, the more y’all are going to ask me questions about it. So keep the articles coming.”
So far this season, Butler has been averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc. When asked about the aspirations for the Miami roster as it is, he would not hesitate in saying that it's pretty much winning a championship or bust.
“I mean, it’s always going to be a championship,” Butler said about the team around him. “Tyler [Herro] is playing at an extremely high level, Bam [Adebayo] is doing what Bam does, we got the young fellas that are hooping and gaining more confidence. So we’re rolling. We’re going to continue to win and I’m proud of the guys. You see everybody out here working and we know what we’re capable of.”
Heat's Erik Spoelstra believes the Jimmy Butler rumors are “gibberish”
Butler's time with Miami so far has been successful as the team has been to two NBA Finals appearances, as was one shot from him away from making a third. Still, the team has yet to capture a championship, which fans have accredited to a lack of moves that has prevented the team from making a huge leap.
Still, the team could be primed to possibly make some noise as besides Butler's sensational outings in the postseason and Bam Adebayo's consistency on both sides of the ball, this season has shown a big jump from guard Tyler Herro. Trading Butler would no doubt put a halt on any championship aspirations as Spoelstra would speak about the rumors and even connect it to Herro, who has been speculated for many years.
“I think the biggest message is we’re 3-0 the past week,” Spoelstra said via The Miami Herald. “And the player that was rumored in so many trades and speculations the last three years [Tyler Herro], that player is still here and Player of the Week…anything else, any other narrative, I don’t care. Nobody should because most of this stuff has been all like gibberish.”
At any rate, Miami is currently 12-10, which puts them fifth in the Eastern as they face the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night to make it four straight wins.
