Jimmy Butler had an easy and painless approach to free agency, knowing he'd be unlikely to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. The star forward reportedly canceled all of his free agency meetings quickly after meeting with the Miami Heat on June 30, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
The Heat sent their best cavalry to woo Butler, including president Pat Riley, franchise icon Alonzo Mourning, and head coach Erik Spoelstra. Though one person that wasn't there was the recently-retired Dwyane Wade, whom he shares a season with during his time with the Chicago Bulls.
“He has always said how nice Miami was,” Butler said of Wade. “…I'm talking about the organization and the people that (are) in it and how they go about everything …
“He would always say, ‘It would be a place for you. The type of guy you are, the mentality you have, the Heat culture, it just fits.'”
Wade was right.
The Heat's rigorous commitment to staying in shape and demanding the very best of their athletes, from public functions, punctuality, practice, and in-game — that adheres to the fiber of who Butler is — a consummate perfectionist and a craftsman that has put in the work to make himself into a star in the league.
Having burned bridges in Chicago and with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Butler will get the chance to be the ring leader once again and see what Wade was talking about for himself — hopefully having found the right fit upon a sign-and-trade that will allow him to make $142 million over the next four years.
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