Jimmy Butler's future with the Miami Heat remains uncertain, with the two sides having failed to come to terms on a contract extension this offseason. On media day, Butler was asked about his thoughts on not getting a deal and stated he plans to let his play show that he is worth holding on to.
"I guess I gotta go out there and I gotta hoop," Butler said. "I've gotta prove that I'm a major part of winning, and rightfully so. I've done it before, this is no different. This is going to be a great year for myself. This is going to be a great year for the group of guys that we have. That'll take care of itself whenever the time comes."
Butler, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2023-24, was then asked if he thought about wanting to be elsewhere at any point this offseason, with the Heat not wanting to offer him a deal. In response, the 35-year-old made it clear he didn't.
"Nah, I'm good," Butler stated. "An extension is just a couple of dollars. I'm cool I'm telling you. I think I've made enough. I just want to play basketball, I want to be available like Pat (Riley) was talking about and I plan on being that. I plan on us winning a bunch of games and making everybody happy."
It had been reported earlier in the offseason, that Butler sought a two-year extension worth about $113 million from the Heat. The front office wasn't all that keen on giving the six-time All-Star that deal, though, and I can't be too critical of them for that.
Butler has missed a fair bit of time due to injuries since joining the Heat in 2019 and his 2023-24 season came to a bit of an early end too. He suffered a right MCL sprain in the Play-In Tournament against the Philadelphia 76ers and subsequently missed the first-round series against the Boston Celtics, which Miami lost in five games.
Butler has failed to play in 65 regular season games in any campaign for the Heat and you don't expect him to get healthier as he ages. Making that big of a financial commitment to him is quite risky and I understand the Heat wanting to wait a bit.
By doing that, though, the Heat risk Butler leaving for free in 2025, as he has a player option worth $52.4 million for 2025-26. If he leaves, any and all chances they have of winning a title go with him.
Brian Windhorst Believes Jimmy Butler Will Be In 'Killer Mode' In 2024-25
Butler stated that he plans to prove his worth on the court and NBA insider Brian Windhorst believes he will dominate next season. Windhorst thinks Butler will be in 'Killer Mode' to prove himself .
"Here's the thing. Jimmy Butler not extending and basically saying 'I'll be a free agent next July', whether that is true or not, remains to be seen. He has a $52 million player option in the last year of that deal... Jimmy Butler, highly motivated to be a free agent, I think, is a different animal."
"And the Heat have had absolutely miserable health luck the last couple of years... At times it seems like Jimmy looks for reasons not to play. And maybe that will be the prevailing situation. But I believe Jimmy is going to be in killer mode to try and prove himself to the Heat and whoever else in the league."
I can't say I share Windhorst's belief. Butler hasn't taken the regular season all that seriously for years and I don't see that changing. He might dominate in the postseason, as he did in 2022 and 2023, but I don't expect his numbers in the regular season to be eye-popping.
Related: Heat Legend Claims Pat Riley Is Tired Of Jimmy Butler
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