Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler were heavily rumored to part ways in the coming days. With issues arising from 2024 offseason contract negotiations, things were looking quite bleak between the two. Quite expectedly, a swarm of speculations came in, citing the next possible destination for Butler. However, amidst all the noise, Miami Heat President Pat Riley has put a stop to all the noises.
“We usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler,” said Riley. Things quickly gained traction after a Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson report went viral.
Pat Riley says the Miami Heat are NOT trading Jimmy Butler
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 26, 2024
"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore we will make it clear: We are not trading Jimmy Butler."
(Via… pic.twitter.com/hmgkiM6P41
It stated that Butler demanded a two-year contract extension worth $113 million. Unfortunately, the Heat were seemingly not okay with this. Thus, it was expected that Jimmy Butler would be switching jerseys in the upcoming season. And this was not the only news that speculated about Butler’s move—there was more!
Bill Simmons Predicted Oklahoma As Jimmy Butler’s Next Home
Shams Charania recently reported that Butler ‘prefers’ to make the transfer before the February 6 deadline approaches. With the news of the 6x NBA All-Star doing the rounds, many top-tier teams wanted to acquire his services. However, as per renowned American sportswriter Bill Simmons, there was a special team that Butler might choose.
“Butler is clearly…this is happening SOON” from @BillSimmons
— Sean 5RSN🎙️🏀 (@SRochesterNBA) December 20, 2024
Which goes OPPOSITE of all reporting locally by @5ReasonsSports @flasportsbuzz and others.
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/H9C9yLVyeX
“Um, I have OKC Dallas, I still feel like, uh, I want to see what happens with the Butler trade because see, Butler’s clearly, this is happening soon,” said Simmons. Unfortunately, none of the rumors turned out to be true. With Jimmy Butler staying in Miami, it remains to be seen how things pan out in the future.
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