After the Heat fell in the first round of the 2024 playoffs to the Celtics, team president Pat Riley drew attention when he challenged star Jimmy Butler to miss fewer games and keep his mouth “shut” instead of trash-talking Boston. Riley was noncommittal about the idea a Butler extension and all eyes turned to the Heat’s six-time All-Star for a response.
That response came during Monday’s media day and Butler’s comments were nothing but professional and team-oriented, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.
“I always want to hoop, always want to compete with my guys,” Butler said. “I hear him. I see what he’s talking about. I’m going to play as many games as I can.”
As Jackson writes, Butler entered the offseason seeking a contract extension that would have given him a raise on his existing contract and added another year. But with the Heat not wanting to rush to complete that deal, Butler now intends to play out the rest of the season without an extension and turn down his player option next year. Butler confirmed today that he didn’t consider asking for a trade after Miami opted not to extend him.
“No, I’m good,” he said. “An extension is just a couple dollars. I’m cool, I’m telling you. I’ve made enough. I just want to play basketball and want to be available, like Pat was talking about. I plan on being that and plan on us winning a bunch of games and making everybody happy.”
We have more from the Heat:
- Asked specifically about Riley’s “keep your mouth shut” comment, Butler downplayed it, Jackson writes. “Not too many things bother me nowadays,” Butler said. “I’m happy. I’m healthy. I’ve got a beautiful family. And I get to hoop. Not too much in the media is ever going to get to me.“
- Head coach Erik Spoelstra, who has now spent five seasons with Butler, suggested that the two of them will need to be at their best and work together in order for the team to reach its potential, according to a report from ESPN. “When you get to that many years together, there’s a lot of unspoken understanding,” Spoelstra said. “He’s at a point now where he needs me to really coach this team at a high level. He needs me to coach him at a high level and push him to higher levels. And I need him to be at his highest level as a player and a leader.” Butler expressed similar sentiments, as relayed in Jackson’s story.
- Tyler Herro spent the offseason bulking up after an injury-riddled year that limited him to 42 games last year, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald details. Herro gained 12 pounds this offseason and is aiming to be more available, which comes after Riley called him “fragile” in his 2023/24 season-ending presser. “Being able to stay healthy, I think that will help being more durable, having a little bigger frame throughout an 82-game season,” Herro said. “Then just taking care of my body recovery wise and truly being professional. I put the work in on the court and in the weight room. Now it’s all about staying healthy and putting that recovery work in, as well.“
- Herro — who has started 107 games over the past two seasons but was named Sixth Man of the Year in ’21/22 — said he’s comfortable in whatever role the coaching staff has envisioned for him. “We’re going to let the best coach in the league decide, we’re going to let one of the best GMs and presidents ever to do this decide if I’m starting or coming off the bench,” Herro said, per Chiang. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win a championship.”
- Josh Richardson is the only player who won’t be a full participant on the first day of training camp, Chiang adds in the same story. Spoelstra said Richardson will eventually participate in camp but he’s still recovering from his season-ending shoulder injury from February.
“I’m telling you. I’ve made enough.”
Im a big Jimmy fan but come on dude
Like most he only cares about the money. They make way to much already
Herro, Jovic, #1 pick >>>>>> Bulls
LaVine >>>>>> to Heat
KnickerbockerAlfonso : i like it,but i doubt heat will do it
Butler has been a truly great player on the court. I’ve always thought he hasn’t gotten his due in that regard. Diatribes like this might be one reason why. When you can be the best player in a late playoff series amidst multiple All NBA players, you really don’t need to sell yourself.
Jimmy is either disrepecting Pat Riley, which he shouldn’t be, or ignoring him, for Jimmy’s own interests. That’s the modern NBA.
Pat Riley has earned the right to his opinion about the people on his team, and his expectations for how they perform for what they are getting paid to produce a winning, championship level team.
Jimmy Butler is getting closer to the end of his career as an NBA star player. Only he can determine what his relevance will be to contribute on a championship level at this point.