Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat might be in the final year of their partnership, with rumors suggesting that the player will be testing free agency next summer . Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald asked Team President Pat Riley if he worries about Butler leaving the franchise as a free agent next summer, with Riley making it clear that he doesn't want that for himself or his franchise .
“I wouldn’t want that. He’s going to have the ability to opt and we’re going to have the ability to extend. I’m trying to get all that thinking out of our heads because it’s living in the present moment and playing basketball. So if there’s something that’s going to drag me down or him down because of that, then we’re not going to perform at a certain level. But I think he’s embraced exactly where he’s at, I think he understands where we’re at.”
Riley and Butler haven't discussed any details on a potential contract extension either.
“I haven’t had a lot of conversation with Jimmy about it. I’ve talked to his agent at times… I don’t have to sit down and have these meetings with (Butler) anymore. He’s a very intelligent man.”
The situation between Butler and the Heat will be one of the storylines of the season, similar to how Paul George left the Los Angeles Clippers and Klay Thompson left the Golden State Warriors after not agreeing to contract extensions with their franchises before testing free agency.
This will play out differently, as Butler still has the opportunity to earn a supermax contract extension on the basis of his production. If he leads the Heat into becoming an Eastern front-runner alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, Pat Riley and the Heat front office would have little choice but to extend Butler, even with his age and injury issues.
There aren't many alternative paths for the Heat either, who won't be able to spend money to sign a replacement of Butler's caliber. This explains why Riley went from telling Butler to 'keep his mouth shut' a few months ago to now relenting on the potential end of their five-year tenure together.
Jimmy Butler Thinks Winning Will Lead To A Solution
Jimmy Butler knows that his name will lead to interest as a free agent or as a trade asset, but he is settled in Miami with his family. Butler seems incentivized to play up to a high standard and earn a worthy contract from the Heat as indicated by previous comments from media day.
"I guess I gotta go out there and I gotta hoop. 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 is also buying into what Riley has demanded from him in terms of being available for more games.
"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."
Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season but played just 60 games, missing their entire first-round Playoff series to the Boston Celtics .
He will be hoping for better injury luck this season but also will have to find ways to remain productive while playing through minor injuries to prove to the Heat that he's still capable of being their franchise star.
Related: Instant Analysis: Jimmy Butler And The Miami Heat Look Like Title Contenders Again In Latest Pre-Season Win
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