After missing two games due to an illness and three due to return-to-competition reconditioning, Heat forward Jimmy Butler rejoined the team on Tuesday, participating in practice and telling reporters that he’ll play in Wednesday’s game vs. New Orleans.
As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald relays, Butler also spoke to the media about last week’s ESPN report suggesting that he prefers to be traded out of Miami. Heat president Pat Riley announced a day after that report that the club wouldn’t be trading its star forward.
“Does it matter?” Butler said today when asked if he prefers a trade. “I honestly do not care about getting traded, where I’m supposed to go, who’s saying what…. All of that is out of my control anyway.”
Reporters in Miami posed a series of questions related to Butler’s future, including whether he’d be content if he’s not traded this season, whether it’s in his and the Heat’s best interests to have an amicable divorce in the summer of 2025, and whether he wants to be in Miami. In each case, he began his answer by saying, “I don’t know.”
The 35-year-old also said he’s “happy” and “in a good space,” adding that he’ll defer to Riley on roster decisions.
“Right now, I’m here and I’m to make the most of it,” Butler said. “I am going to compete and I’m going to win. It’s a lot of talk, a lot of noise, which I’m cool with. It doesn’t bother me at all. I love that. I thrive at it. It keeps you all wondering, the world wondering. It’s good to be talked about. Even better to be wanted.”
Asked if he and/or his agent have talked to Riley, Butler offered no comment, simply replying, “Next.”
While Butler’s remarks suggest he doesn’t intend to take the scorched-earth route he did six years ago in Minnesota to force a trade, he also passed on the opportunity to put the issue to bed, offering vague responses and not outright denying that he prefers a trade. Despite Riley’s statement last Thursday about not trading Butler, this still looks like a situation worth keeping an eye on as the February 6 trade deadline nears.
In addition to addressing the trade rumors, Butler also spoke about his five-game absence, explaining that he was “pretty messed up” as a result of a bad stomach illness, but that he’s feeling better now and looking forward to getting back on the court. It’s possible Miami will be down a player or two as a result of Sunday’s altercation vs. the Rockets – the NBA has yet to announce suspensions and/or fines – so Butler’s return should be a welcome one.
Butler is not the savior of Warriors.
Let’s be honest on current situation (completely forget about the history)
Steph Curry is the 2nd banana.
Wiggins is the 3rd option
Kuminga is 4th option
Draymond is an average player (bench guy)
Warriors need a young leader like Donovan Mitchell
Fox is not good enough
That’s an insult to most bench players…
As most bench players will do more in 19 minutes than 1 steal and 4 fouls..
Is there a general feeling that Butler is another one of the players who has never won a championship and never will?
He may not ever win a championship, but neither have around 89% or about 4500 other players that have ever played in the NBA. Championships are a team accomplishment and are much as being in the right place at the right time as anything else.
Tell that to everyone who has MJ as the GOAT
Agreed. In the 2022/2023 season, the Heat far overachieved making it all the way to the finals.
He’s over rated…
A good case of a 2nd fiddle who thinks they are the big star in town…
He’d need an MJ level talent above him in order to win a ring…
Taco,
You’re absolutely right of course. Somehow folks vilify non-ring winners which is silly. Butler has been a terrific player, but will likely end up in the 89%; is it the Ernie Banks Syndrome?
Jimmy still one of best 2Way players. He’s guaranteed 52 mill next yr. Why are we talking trade lols. He’s not Bron or Steph. To me Heat will try and keep him. But not at max money. Truth is they can wait till next yr to decide. Heat have had some good wins. I see Heat as a better team by playoffs time.
With his age and recent injury history, Butler may not be a great trade target at this point. But, when healthy, he’s still one of only about 10 players in the league that has the potential to be the best player on the court through multiple playoff series this postseason. None of the other 9 will be available for a in-season trade this year. So if there is any team looking for a savior to come on board ahead of the deadline for this season (as irrational or short sighted as that might be), Butler is the only game in town.
He has the potential to be the man in one or 2 games each playoff series…
Unfortunately you need 4 wins in the playoffs to advance… Butler just disappears too often…
Based on 2k ratings? Perhaps, but in the NBA, as recently as 2023, Butler was the “man” in each of the first 3 series MIA played, with guys like Giannis and Tatum, among others, playing for MIA’s opponents. By all accounts, he’s still the same player when he’s healthy. Roll of the dice, because he’s sneaky, but if the idea is to acquire a true potential difference maker this year, he’s the only possibility.
Based on how many times he disappeared when needed in the playoffs…