Speculations have been going on for a long time about the tensions brewing within the Miami Heat involving Jimmy Butler. However, ESPN’s Alan Hahn believes that he will no longer be a part of the discussion from the following season.
Hahn started off by predicting, “Well, Jimmy Butler’s days in Miami are over.” Then he dragged Heat’s President Pat Riley to justify his point. After their playoff exit, while talking about the health condition of players in a press conference, Riley showed his disappointment towards Butler. The reason being the forward’s mocking the Celtics and Knicks for their playoff performances, whereas he wasn’t even a part of the tournament due to his injury.
Butler still has a guaranteed year left in his contract, but he has expressed his desire for a maximum extension to which the franchise has not committed yet. This dissatisfaction created the rift which led to his trade rumors.
Warriors, Sixers Linked With Miami Heat Star
If Butler is indeed available on the market, there won’t be a lack of potential suitors. The Sixers have already shortlisted him as the third star to join alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. He is set to earn $48,798,677 for the 2024/25 season and, given the Sixers’ cap space, this shouldn’t be a big issue. According to the Philadelphia Inquisitor’s Keith Pompey, the Sixers are even ready to give the Heat star a Max contract.
The other notable team linked with a move for the Heat forward is the Warriors. According to ESPN’s Nick Friedell, there have been talks about Butler around the league with the Warriors being one of the potential landing zones.
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But he highlighted the worries in the camp regarding his knee injury. The 6-time All-Star suffered a season-ending MCL injury during the final stretch of the regular season. He missed the NBA playoffs, which contributed to the Heat’s elimination. Despite being 34-year-old, Butler is still a very capable two-way force. But his future will be decided by a gamble and which side wants to take it.
