Miami Heat president Pat Riley believes acquiring Jimmy Butler is a “real” step in the direction of bringing a championship back to Miami.
The Heat acquired Butler from the Phiadelphia 76ers this summer in a sign-and-trade deal involving Josh Richardson. Riley and Miami tried to acquire Butler last season when the All-Star requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pat Riley talking championships.
"Having Jimmy Butler here is, I think a step in that direction – for real."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 27, 2019
Jimmy Butler averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers last season. He shot 46.2 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free-throw line.
A four-time All-Star, Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. The 30-year-old was reportedly blown away by all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Dwyane Wade’s final home game with the Heat last season.
Butler told friends after Wade’s final game in Miami against the Sixers that being able to see what Miami and the Heat organization are about left an enormous impact on him.
Butler is a Pat Riley-type of player: hard-nosed, both on and off the court. The Heat believe Butler will lead the franchise back to the playoffs this season. Miami missed the postseason in 2018-19.
The Heat pitched Butler on becoming the first established star to join the current roster, with the understanding the organization would be aggressive in trying to add another.
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