Recent discussions surrounding Jimmy Butler have been less than favorable. A major fallout with the Miami Heat, followed by three suspensions, ultimately led to Butler’s trade to the Golden State Warriors during this season’s trade deadline. The rift occurred when Miami refused to meet Butler’s contract extension demands, prompting him to sign a two-year, $121 million deal with the Warriors.
The public backlash toward Butler’s handling of the situation, particularly with Heat General Manager Pat Riley, has been intense. However, it is important to acknowledge Butler’s remarkable impact on Miami over the past five and a half seasons. Since joining the Heat before the 2019-20 season, Butler led the team to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances and two NBA Finals, despite often being considered an underdog.
Butler’s performance during those Playoff runs should not be overlooked. While he hasn’t always received the same recognition as other NBA superstars, his ability to elevate his game and lead a relatively modest roster to the Finals is as impressive as any other postseason run in recent memory.
In 2020, Butler averaged 26.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 55.2% from the field, including a historic 40-point triple-double in Game 3 of the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In that game, he became the first player in NBA history to outscore, outrebound, and out-assist LeBron James in a Finals game.
In 2023, Butler led Miami to a second Finals appearance, making history as the second-ever #8 seed to reach the Finals (joining the 1998-99 New York Knicks). Despite the challenges posed by injuries—Tyler Herro was sidelined after just one game, and Bam Adebayo struggled to find his rhythm—Butler once again elevated his game. He averaged 22.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.9 rebounds during the regular season, and increased those numbers to 26.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.5 rebounds in the playoffs. His leadership and consistency were key to Miami’s unlikely Finals run.
While Butler may not have accumulated a wealth of individual accolades, his focus on team success speaks volumes. This is why his contract negotiations with the Heat became such a sensitive issue. Butler felt that his contributions merited more than the extension Miami was offering.
This situation echoes the 2016 contract dispute between Pat Riley and Dwyane Wade. Wade, the face of the Miami Heat and a three-time NBA champion, had taken pay cuts in previous years to help build the team around LeBron James and Chris Bosh. In 2016, after helping bring the Heat back to championship contention, Wade felt it was his turn to be rewarded for his contributions.
Riley initially offered him a two-year, $20 million deal, later increasing the offer to $40 million, but Wade found it insufficient. Hurt by what he perceived as a lack of recognition, Wade left Miami and signed a two-year, $47.5 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
Wade’s departure was emotional. “I was heartbroken… I thought I did everything. I was the pillar and I thought at that time that I should have got rewarded for that,” he said. It was a poignant moment in Heat history, highlighting the complexities of balancing loyalty with business decisions.
As for Butler, while it’s understandable why Riley was hesitant to commit significant money to a 35-year-old player, Butler’s contributions to Miami’s success were undeniable. A “friendly” contract would have been warranted for Butler’s services, but offering him the $121 million extension would have created long-term financial strain for the team, impacting their ability to build a championship-contending roster.
In the end, business decisions must be made, and Riley’s reputation as one of the NBA’s best executives is well-earned. However, when we reflect on Jimmy Butler’s career with the Miami Heat, we must recognize the indelible impact he had on the franchise. His tenacity, leadership, and ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments deserve far more recognition than he often receives.
