Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler is the new franchise player in South Beach in the post-Dwyane Wade era. The Heat are hoping Butler can lead Miami to a championship soon.

Butler, a four-time All-Star, signed a four-year, $140.8 million contract with the Heat in July as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The swingman says it's going to be a “long great year” for Miami this season.

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“I’m just happy to be able to hoop,” Butler said, via Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. “We’ve got a great group of guys. We like being around each other. Everyone’s laughing and smiling. It’s going to be a long year and a long great year. Everyone around here is looking forward to it.”

Butler averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sixers in 2018-19 while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Butler, 30, was reportedly blown away by all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Wade’s last home game with the Heat last season and told friends after the game being able to see what Miami and the Heat organization are about left an enormous impact on him.