A star player announce is departure after quarrelling with coach.
It’s possible that the Miami Heat have already decided how Jimmy Butler will play for them in the future.
Howard Beck of The Ringer stated that rival executives have been “buzzing” for months about the Heat dealing Butler in a recent offseason preview. With one year remaining on the 35-year-old’s contract and Heat president Pat Riley’s penchant for selling players before they become liabilities, this is considered as the most likely scenario.
Butler is seeking a two-year extension worth approximately $113 million; if agreed to, Miami’s hopes of acquiring a second great player would be severely diminished. The Heat are also cognizant of the fact that, with their existing core, they have lagged behind in the Eastern Conference, which increases the likelihood of change.
Riley did seem to be hinting that he might be running out of patience with Butler. The true problem is his contractual expectations, which most likely force the Heat to sell him now rather than risk losing him for nothing in a year.
Over 60 games last season, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for the Heat. He had an MCL sprain during the play-in tournament, which kept him out of the postseason.
